Occlusion training: pilot study for postoperative lower extremity rehabilitation following primary total knee arthroplasty.

With continued emphasis on the value of healthcare, factors such as quality of life and patient reported outcomes are critical in evaluating high-demand procedures such as knee replacement surgery. Equally important to the surgery itself is maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency of the treatment, both preoperatively and postoperatively, which can have a significant effect the final outcome. Technical outcomes of total knee replacement are generally considered excellent; however, many patients continue to have postoperative pain, functional limitations, and low treatment satisfaction. The recovery process can be difficult and is often prolonged in older patient populations. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is a resistance exercise performed with a venous tourniquet that stimulates local changes in muscle at low resistance. Herein we report on 3 patients who participated in BFR exercises as an adjunct to their normal physical therapy following total knee arthroplasty.