Does Blood Flow Restriction Training Improve Quadriceps Function After Arthroscopic Knee Surgery?

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy (PT) plus BFR training compared to PT alone (without BFR training) after ACL reconstruction in patients who require extended limited weight bearing through assessment of patient reported outcomes and functional testing. The hypothesis is that PT plus BFR training will mitigate the loss of quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area, strength, and function while also improving early clinical and functional results.

Conditions

  • Quadriceps Atrophy
  • ACL Reconstruction

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 14 Years and 55 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with concomitant meniscus or cartilage restoration procedures - Adherence to modified weight bearing status before initiation of PT - Expected participation in recreational or competitive sports after release to full activities

Exclusion Criteria

  • Unable to attend (or participate in) physical therapy - Pregnancy - Malignancy - Fracture - Peripheral vascular disease - History of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)
Masking Description
Blinding is not possible given the nature of the intervention.

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Physical therapy (PT) plus blood flow restriction (BFR) 		Physical therapy consists of two or three 90-minute sessions per week for 6 weeks and a minimum of 18 visits required for study inclusion. With BFR, exercises will be performed at 30% one-rep max with the BFR cuff placed around the proximal thigh and inflated to 80% of limb occlusion pressure (avg: 150 mmHg).
  • Device: Blood flow restriction
    With BFR, exercises will be performed at 30% one-rep max with the BFR cuff placed around the proximal thigh and inflated to 80% of limb occlusion pressure (avg: 150 mmHg).
  • Other: Physical therapy
    Physical therapy consists of two or three 90-minute sessions per week for 6 weeks and a minimum of 18 visits required for study inclusion.
Active Comparator
Physical therapy 		Physical therapy consists of two or three 90-minute sessions per week for 6 weeks and a minimum of 18 visits required for study inclusion.
  • Device: Blood flow restriction
    With BFR, exercises will be performed at 30% one-rep max with the BFR cuff placed around the proximal thigh and inflated to 80% of limb occlusion pressure (avg: 150 mmHg).
  • Other: Physical therapy
    Physical therapy consists of two or three 90-minute sessions per week for 6 weeks and a minimum of 18 visits required for study inclusion.

Recruiting Locations

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas 77030
Contact:
Walter R Lowe, MD
713-486-6844
walter.r.lowe@uth.tmc.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Study Contact

Walter R Lowe, MD
713-486-6844
walter.r.lowe@uth.tmc.edu