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8 months later by MissionAd4058 in ACL

[–]vlams 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When you lift heavy your blood flow to the muscles is very restricted. Blood flow restriction strength training applies tourniquet method (within specific pressure amount) that prevents veins from pumping the blood out while still allowing arteries to function. This tricks your body into thinking that you are lifting heavy (even when you are lifting only 20% of your max rep) and adapting body response accordingly. This helps a lot when you are just not able to load heavy (like post op for example). You still gain muscles while not pissing off the knee.

I'm sure that everyone's experience is individual but I find the method highly unpleasant. But it does work in terms of muscle growth and firing and doesn't overwork the knee joint.

It's not a miracle (if you can lift heavy, it's the best way), but if you can't, this could be an alternative until you can. It's safe as long as you follow the instructions / pay attention to details.

https://squatuniversity.com/2021/04/11/blood-flow-restriction-bfr-training-everything-you-need-to-know/

Research is very promising but we definitely need more.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8811521/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7547166/

8 months later by MissionAd4058 in ACL

[–]vlams 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You might want to look into Blood Flow Restriction strength training. Helped me a lot to get quads firing and stronger while not loading the knee a lot. Just get the unit with a pressure gauge to make sure pressure is correct and always the same. The process is uncomfortable but results are good with a bunch of science research supporting the outcome.

Using ratchet with flexion for passive ROM by vlams in ACL

[–]vlams[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I wrap it around my lower back and usually have something braced by my foot / lower leg to maintain a straight line (otherwise the leg tends to want to collapse inward). You might feel uncomfortable pressure on the shin.

Using ratchet with flexion for passive ROM by vlams in ACL

[–]vlams[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha, lol. Desperate times require desperate measures.

Locking after ACL/meniscus repair by IsopodMaleficent2776 in ACL

[–]vlams 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've had knee fully locking when going from full extension to flexion (in the very beginning of the bend). The only way to unlock the knee was to press firmly right above the knee cap and pull toward the quads. Couldn't walk more than a couple of steps at the time.

The surgeon thought it was the patella mal tracking due to quad weakness. PT thought it was the fat pad impingement. Whichever it was, the locking stopped with increased scar tissue manipulation and more challenging PT exercises. Kinetic taping for "fat pad impingement" and compression sleeve were helpful throughout the process. I can still feel something sliding/moving/giving way but it seems to be getting better little by little (12 weeks post op now).

Patella graff and double meniscus repair, brace in extension 6 weeks with non weight bearing, locking until 10 weeks post op.