Rebuilding Strength Without Surgery — The Power of PT and Blood Flow Restriction Therapy
As a mother, physical therapist and PT clinic director, I thrive on being busy and staying active. A few months ago, while on the ski slopes of Mount Bachelor with my family, I suffered a knee injury in a snafu with my son’s ski harness. Believing I tore my ACL completely, (having done this twice in my past) I was devastated.
Thankfully, I have a close circle of friends in the medical field, and I was able to snag an MRI rapidly. My imaging surprised me: a tibial plateau fracture, large meniscus tear, and thankfully, only a partial ACL tear. I was instructed to avoid surgical involvement, wean off crutches over 2 weeks, be a compliant PT patient, and leave the ski instruction to the pros from now on.
I’m here to share my story of recovery and how physical therapy, combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy, helped me rebuild strength and return to the activities I love.
The Injury: A Reality Check
My first two weeks were difficult. I hadn’t been on crutches for over a decade. I forgot how much strength and patience they require. Furthermore, I continued treating a full caseload, so balancing my laptop, tools, and other materials proved highly challenging with keeping on a tight schedule. Thank goodness for my incredible PT student and squad at TAI Ability, I’m forever grateful for this team.
Walking with Crutches — Advice from a Physical Therapist
If you have suffered a foot, ankle, knee or hip injury, crutches can help you keep weight off your injured leg while also allowing you to move around enough to safely perform your daily activities.
The Road to Recovery: Embracing Physical Therapy
Entrusting one of my colleagues in my care was easy. Being compliant and patient with my restrictions was not. The rehab process started slowly with basic range-of-motion exercises to reduce swelling and improve flexibility in my knee. My PT also helped manage my swelling and discomfort with manual therapy, something I value heavily in my own practice. Having utilized Blood Flow Restriction Therapy (BFR) with my patients in the past, we knew this would be a vital part of my recovery. The goal wasn’t just to heal the injury, but to make sure my knee was stronger and more stable in the long term if I ever wanted to hit the slopes again.
Blood Flow Restriction Therapy: What It Is and How It Helped Me
Blood flow restriction therapy involves using a specialized cuff to reduce blood flow to the muscles during low-intensity exercise. This mimics the effects of high-intensity exercise without the need for heavy lifting.
It may sound unusual, but the science behind BFR is fascinating. By restricting blood flow, you can stimulate muscle growth and strength while minimizing the stress on your joints — which was exactly what I needed for my specific injury.
With the BFR cuffs placed around my upper thigh, I performed simple leg exercises, like leg extensions and squats, while the cuff restricted blood flow. Initially, it feels a little strange and uncomfortable, but the effects were well worth it.
I always felt a healthy amount of fatigue after my PT sessions. Even though I was using low weights and low-intensity movements, I could feel my muscles tire as if I was lifting heavy. This made me feel productive and kept my head in the game.
Blood Flow Restriction Training — Expediting Recovery and Rehabilitation
Blood Flow Restriction Training can be applied to a wide range of conditions with positive results. As a treatment protocol, BFRT offers the same benefits of a high load exercise or training program, using a much lower weight load, making it especially beneficial for patients who have weight-bearing restrictions.
Results
As the weeks went by, I saw dramatic improvements. My knee felt more stable, my muscles were rebuilding, and I started to feel more confident in my ability to move and exercise again. I was just as surprised as everyone to have minimal pain and such a rapid return to my normal life after only a matter of weeks. The BFR therapy made a noticeable difference in my strength and recovery time, allowing me to get back to the activities I love much sooner than I had anticipated. Now, several months later, I am participating in HIIT training at a higher level than before my injury.
A Message of Hope and Resilience
Today, I’m back to doing the things I love — which will include skiing next winter— and I’ve learned the importance of listening to my body and taking recovery seriously. With dedication, a good therapeutic relationship, and a positive mindset, you truly can come back stronger than ever.
Regardless of the injury, recovery takes time and patience, but with the right treatment plan, you can come back stronger than ever. I highly recommend considering innovative therapies like BFR to accelerate recovery if you’re a good candidate— it made a huge difference for me!
The Road to Recovery is Through Physical Therapy
If you’ve suffered an injury while skiing or snowboarding, don’t wait to seek care. Our physical therapists are experts in musculoskeletal care and can help determine the extent of your injury and quickly get you started on your rehab journey while ensuring you avoid long-term pain and dysfunction. Get back to what you love!
