BFRT in Adolescents After ACL Reconstruction

Inclusion Criteria

• Adolescent male and female patients, age 12-18
• Skeletally mature at time of diagnosis, with closed growth plates, as determined via standard clinic x-ray imaging (this specification automatically excludes pre-pubescent children.
• Underwent transphyseal ACLR with quadriceps tendon autograft with one of three sports orthopedic surgeons at CHOA
• Completed pre-surgery strength assessment of bilateral quadriceps, hamstrings, hip abductor and hip adductor musculature.
• English-speaking adolescents and parents of all races and ethnicities (after preliminary data is achieved, PI will coordinate a larger multi-center study that will include all non-English speaking participants.

Exclusion Criteria

• Skeletally immature patients with open growth plates, as determined via standard clinic x-ray imaging
• Concomitant procedures performed during ACLR which require weight-bearing restrictions (i.e. meniscus repair, microfracture, multi-ligament knee reconstruction)
• History of previous knee surgery
• History of cardiovascular disease (e.g. coronary artery disease, unstable hypertension, vascular endothelial dysfunction, peripheral artery disease, varicose veins)
• ICD-10 diagnosis of bleeding disorder (e.g. hemophilia or blood clotting disorder) or use of anticoagulants or other medications that may affect blood clotting
• Inability to adhere to treatment protocol (as described in study procedures, BFR-LLT treatment requirements)
• Any adverse events intra-operatively or post-operatively that lead to delay in care, including infection
• Failure to adhere to attendance requirements as detailed below:

• Attend first PT visit (PTV) within 5 days post-surgery
• Attend a minimum of 20 total PTVs during weeks 1-16 post-surgery