Editorial Commentary: Blood Flow Restriction Therapy Prior to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Small Effects Require Accurate Measurements

Abstract

A recent research study showed that blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy was safe and well tolerated but failed to demonstrate efficacy as a modality that provides greater gains in quadriceps strength when added to a standard home program in patients awaiting anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Despite employing a validated method of measurement, the results were highly variable, indicating the need for measurements with sufficient accuracy to detect the small, but potentially meaningful, gains in quadriceps strength that's been attributed to BFR. The results inform future investigations of BFR prior to ACL surgery by demonstrating the need for accurate methods of measurements when the anticipated effects are small.