Low-load exercises with concurrent blood flow restriction as rehabilitation for unspecific knee pain to a former American football player: A case report

Abstract

Former athlete, 30 years of age, suffered several months of moderate anterior knee pain during daily life activities where daily life activities such as negotiating stairs and lifting heavy objects were moderately painful. Magnetic resonance imaging showed normal meniscus and cruciate ligaments and no extra joint fluid. The patient was referred to a physiotherapist who introduced a strengthening program. Low-load resistance training with concurrent blood flow restriction can induce significant gains in maximal muscle strength and mass with minimal exacerbation of knee-joint pain. We describe the outcome of 12 weeks low-load resistance training with concurrent blood flow restriction as a rehabilitation method for anterior knee pain. The patient performed low-load resistance training with concurrent blood flow restriction for the lower limbs (goblet squat, single-leg knee extensions and flexions). After the low-load resistance training with concurrent blood flow restriction, the patient increased isometric knee extensor muscle strength (31%), single-leg hop test performance (23%), obtained clinically relevant improvements in patient-reported outcomes and was able to return to his usual high-loading training regime. Low-load resistance training with concurrent blood flow restriction seems promising to transition patients back to a healthy lifestyle of training and being physically active.