ArticleJournal of orthopaedic case reports2026
Outcomes of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy as an Adjunct to Standard Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.
Article in Journal of orthopaedic case reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Introduction: Quadriceps weakness and muscle atrophy remain major challenges following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy enables low-load resistance training and may enhance early rehabilitation outcomes. This study evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of adding BFR therapy to standard post-operative rehabilitation. Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study, 40 patients (18-45 years) undergoing arthroscopic ACL reconstruction received standard rehabilitation supplemented with BFR therapy (60-80% limb occlusion pressure) from post-operative day 1 for 16 weeks. The primary outcome was quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) on magnetic resonance imaging. Secondary outcomes included Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), thigh girth, and Lysholm score. Paired t-tests were used for analysis. Results: Mean age was 28.25 ± 7.15 years, with 90% male. NPRS increased on post-operative day 1 (P < 0.0001) and significantly decreased thereafter (P ≤ 0.001). Lysholm scores improved from 70.57 ± 7.37 to 88.82 ± 5.38 (P < 0.0001), exceeding the minimal clinically important difference. Thigh girth remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Quadriceps CSA showed a non-significant reduction (approximately 6%; P = 0.123). Conclusion: BFR therapy is a safe and well-tolerated adjunct to standard ACL rehabilitation, associated with improved functional outcomes and pain while preserving muscle mass. Larger randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up are required to validate these findings.
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