Orginal article Intermittent blood flow restriction does not reduce atrophy following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Abstract Background : A previous study has reported a 50% reduction in disuse atrophy of the quadriceps during the first 14 days after ACL recon-struction. A follow up trial is needed to confirm these promising results. The present study aims to investigate the effect of an occlusion stimuluson quadriceps atrophy after ACL reconstruction. Methods : A total of 24 subjects participated in the study. They were randomized into two groups. Starting the 2nd day after surgery, the occlusiongroup received an occlusion stimulus for 5 min, followed by removal of the occlusive pressure for 3 min. This was repeated 5 times in onetraining session, twice daily. During the period of occlusive stimulus, the subjects performed 20 low load exercises for the quadriceps. Thecontrol group followed the same exercise protocol, but without the occlusion stimulus. Changes in quadriceps anatomical cross section area(ACSA) were measured using axial MR images at 40% and 50% of the length of the femur. Results : Both groups had a significant reduction of quadriceps ACSA from 2 days before surgery to 16 days after surgery. During the inter-vention period, the occlusion group lost 13.8% 1.1% (mean SEM) and the control group lost 13.1% 1.0% of their quadriceps ACSArespectively. There was no significant difference between the occlusion and control groups with regards to atrophy of the quadriceps muscles.