Riassunto dello studio

Forty-six patients who sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and were scheduled for reconstruction were randomized into a group receiving either a blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy program (n=22) or a control group without BFR (n=24). The primary outcome of interest was isometric quadriceps strength at 3 months postoperatively, measured as peak and mean torques during seated leg extension exercises and presented as a ratio of the healthy limb. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported outcomes such as pain, knee function, and physical function, knee range of motion, quadriceps circumference and adverse effects. Outcomes were assessed up to 6 months postoperatively. Overall, the study found that at 6 weeks post-ACL reconstruction, the BFR group demonstrated higher mean quadriceps strength and improved patient-reported outcomes compared to the control group.