EFFECT OF BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION TRAINING ON QUADRICEPS MUSCLE STRENGTH IN PATIENTS POST ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

Background: The chief factor limiting athletes from returning to activity After Anterior cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) prevails to be Quadriceps Muscle Atrophy. Inclusion of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) in the Post-Operative Rehabilitation Program may accelerate Quadriceps Strengthening. Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluate the Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Quadriceps Muscle Strength in Patients Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Methods: Patients Post ACLR from were evaluated and chosen based on the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to two groups BFR and control group. Randomized controlled trails. Study conducted at Out-Patient Department, Mannai Narayanasamy College of Physiotherapy and Out- Patient Departments of tie-up hospitals. All patients underwent a standard 12-week Post ACLR Exercise program with the BFR group performing the exercises with a pneumatic BFR cuff placed over the proximal thigh set to 80% Limb occlusion Pressure. Quadriceps strength was measured as peak quadriceps torque during high-seated leg extension at first week and twelfth week of the study. Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) of International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) measures were collected at 12th weeks of study. Results: At 12 weeks, the experimental group significantly outperformed the control. Experimental strength gains (t=9.41, mean=116.2) exceeded control gains (t=5.39, mean=110.1). Similarly, IKDC scores showed superior recovery for the experimental group (t=19.95, mean=57.6) compared to the control group (t=16.17, mean=55.5). Conclusion: Inclusion of BFR into the Post-operative exercise program improved strength as of 12th week of program and lead to an early transition to heavy resistance program possibly reducing to time of returning to activity which is beyond the scope of the trail Keywords: Blood flow restriction, BFR, BFRT, Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, Return to sports, Quadriceps muscle strength