AI Article Synopsis

  • Blood flow restriction exercise (BFRE) has the potential to help maintain muscle function after an Achilles tendon injury but lacks evidence from rigorous trials regarding its safety and effectiveness.
  • This study aims to compare the benefits of starting BFRE early (1-12 weeks) versus later (13-24 weeks) in rehabilitation for patients who have acute Achilles tendon ruptures.
  • The trial is a randomized controlled study that evaluates patient outcomes through specific tests at 13 and 25 weeks to determine if early BFRE improves recovery compared to conventional care and late BFRE.

Article Abstract

Background: Blood flow restriction exercise (BFRE) has been proposed as a viable method for preserving muscle mass and function after an injury during periods of load restrictions such as after an acute Achilles tendon rupture. However, its effectiveness and safety in patients with an Achilles tendon rupture have yet to be evaluated in a randomized trial.

Objectives: First, to investigate the effectiveness of early initiated BFRE in patients with non-surgically treated acute Achilles tendon rupture. Second, to evaluate whether it is better to apply BFRE in the beginning (1-12 weeks) or later (13-24 weeks) in the rehabilitation period.

Methods: This is an assessor-blinded, randomized, controlled multicenter trial with patients assigned in a 1:1 ratio to two parallel groups, that either receive BFRE in weeks 1-12 followed by usual care in weeks 13-24, or receive usual care in weeks 1-12 followed by BFRE in weeks 13-24. The BFRE program is performed three times weekly on the injured leg at 80 % of the pressure required to fully restrict the arterial blood flow. Post-intervention tests are conducted in week 13, comparing early BFRE with usual care, and in week 25, comparing early BFRE with late BFRE. At the 13-week evaluation, the primary outcome is the Single-Leg Heel-Rise test which assesses the patient's ability to raise the heel of the injured leg a minimum of 2 cm. At the 25-week evaluation, the primary outcome is the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score which assesses the patient's self-reported symptoms and physical ability.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foot.2024.102133DOI Listing

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