This post is actually a translated repost on the potential benefit of BFR to treat Patella Femoral Pain (PFP), aka. anterior knee pain, which is common among athletes of various levels.
In the video, a sub-elite orientation runner suffering from fluctuating PFP is implementing Fit Cuffs (older version) to augment the back squat and lunges. In his case, BFR has proven to be a game changer in regard to less aggravation of pain.
Typically, high-load resistance training focusing on strengthening the quadriceps and hip abductors, subsequently to graduated exposure, has been recommended.
But the results from a RCT comparing BFR training and conventional resistance training, shows that BFR is just as effective to elicit strength, though, superior for people with concurrent knee pain.
Background: BFR may provide low-load quadriceps strengthening method to treat PFP as heavy resistance exercises may aggravate knee pain.
Method: BFR, n=35 vs. conventional resistance training n=34, as 8 weeks of leg press and leg extension, at 70% 1RM vs. BFR group at 30% 1RM. Interventions were compared by Kujala Patellofemoral Score, Visual Analogue Scale and pain with daily activity, isometric knee extensor torque (strength) and quadriceps muscle thickness.
Results: BFR group had a significant 93% greater reduction in pain with activities of daily living. Participants with painful resisted knee extension (n=39) had a significant greater increases in knee strength with BFR. Though, no significant difference was detected at 6 months.
Conclusion: BFR group experienced greater reduction in pain with daily living at 8 weeks. Improvements were similar between groups as worst pain and Kujala score. The subgroup analysis showed that those with pain during knee extension had greater strength gains with BFR.
Therefore, BFR can be recommended to treat PFP, especially for athletes with pain during conventional exercise or in periods of high training load, e.g. in-season.
Source: Giles et al. (2017) Quadriceps strengthening with and without blood flow restriction in the treatment of patellofemoral pain: a double-blind randomised trial.
