Early Postoperative Role of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy to Avoid Muscle Atrophy

In the early phases following surgery of the lower limb, patients experience a loss of skeletal muscle and strength which if untreated can have a negative impact on return to normal function. To date, the techniques used in the rehabilitation process may not fully maximise the potential adaptations a patient may achieve due to the levels of loading that can be achieved in the early postoperative phase. Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is a therapy that can be used both passively and in combination with exercise (utilizing low loads), to attenuate atrophy or stimulate skeletal muscle hypertrophy and strength adaptations. This chapter outlines a progressive model for rehabilitation following surgery and sets out a step-by-step process of how to integrate BFRT to attenuate muscle atrophy and maximise recovery postoperatively.