Abstract
Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is a technique shown to be safe and effective
at increasing muscular strength and endurance in healthy fitness populations and is
under study for its use in postinjury rehabilitation. BFR stimulates muscular strength
and hypertrophy gains at much lower loads than traditional methods, allowing patients
to begin the rehabilitation process much sooner. We report on 2 patients who incorporated
BFR training into their traditional rehabilitation program after Achilles tendon ruptures.
Patient 1 was a 29-year-old active duty soldier who sustained a left Achilles tendon
rupture while playing competitive football. After operative repair and traditional
rehabilitative measures, he was unable to ambulate without assistive devices owing
to persistent weakness. The patient subsequently started a 5-week “return to run”
program using BFR training. He experienced plantarflexion peak torque improvements
of 522% and 108.9% and power gains of 4475% and 211% at 60°/s and 120°/s, respectively.
He was able to ambulate without assistive devices at the 5-week follow-up examination.
Patient 2 was a 38-year-old male soldier who experienced a complete left Achilles
tendon rupture while exercising. After nonoperative treatment with an accelerated
rehabilitation program, the patient still experienced significant strength and functional
deficits. He was subsequently enrolled in a 6-week course of BFR training. He experienced
plantarflexion strength improvements of 55.8% and 47.1% and power gains of 68.8% and
78.7% at 60°/s and 120°/s, respectively. He was able to return to running and sports
on completion of 6 weeks of BFR-assisted therapy. Incorporating tourniquet-assisted
blood flow restriction with rehabilitation programs can improve strength, endurance,
and function after Achilles tendon rupture.
Level of Clinical Evidence
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 21, 2018
Footnotes
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Conflict of Interest: None reported. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
