The Impact of Blood Flow Restriction Training in Adolescents After ACL Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Launched by CONNECTICUT CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER · Feb 22, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help teenagers recover after surgery for a knee injury called an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The researchers want to see if a special exercise method called blood flow restriction training (BFRT) can improve strength and recovery when added to the usual rehabilitation exercises after surgery. While BFRT has been used successfully in adults, this study will help determine if it works well for adolescents too.

To be part of this trial, participants should be teenagers who were active in certain sports before their knee surgery and plan to return to those activities. They should also have completed their rehabilitation program at Connecticut Children's Hospital. During the study, participants will undergo a standard rehabilitation program, with some also doing the BFRT exercises. This trial is currently looking for volunteers, and it’s important for interested families to know that there are certain health conditions that may prevent someone from joining, such as other knee injuries or specific medical issues.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Prior to surgery participated in \>50 hours/year of level I or II sports as defined by Noyes et al and planned to return to prior level.
• • Level I Sports (4-7 days/week) Jumping, hard pivoting, cutting (basketball, volleyball,football, soccer, gymnastics, skiing. wrestling)
• • Level II sports (1-3 days/week) Jumping, hard pivoting, cutting (basketball, volleyball,football, soccer, gymnastics, skiing. wrestling)
• • Completion of postoperative rehabilitation following standard protocols
• • Orthopedic surgical intervention and physical therapy completed at Connecticut Children's.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • An additional lower extremity injury at time of knee injury or previous surgical intervention on the knee (ipsilateral and contralateral)
• • Multiple ligament ruptures or trauma
• • Weight bearing restrictions for greater than 4 weeks after surgery due to concomitant pathology such as meniscal root/radial repair, chondral pathology, or multi-ligament pathology
• • Follow-up surgical procedures including, but not limited to, post-operative arthrofibrosis Inability to attend regular physical therapy sessions (≥80% of patient treatment sessions and all assessment visits
• • Contraindications to performing BFRT including known history of central or peripheral neurologic impairments, cardiac or metabolic condition or history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).