PhD defence Baris Beytullah Koc

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Muscle strength, Blood flow restriction training 

"From Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction to Recovery: Preferences, Predictors and the Potential of Blood Flow Restriction Training"

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction marks only the beginning of the recovery process. The final outcome is largely determined by the quality of rehabilitation and the restoration of muscle strength. Heavy-load resistance training is currently considered the gold standard. However, during the early postoperative phase, such loading is not feasible or medically appropriate for every patient. This thesis therefore investigated blood flow restriction (BFR) training as an innovative rehabilitation strategy. BFR combines low-load exercises with a controlled, temporary reduction in blood flow to the upper leg. The results show that BFR can achieve muscle strength recovery comparable to traditional heavy-load resistance training. For patients, this provides a clinically relevant alternative when heavy loading is not yet possible or is contraindicated. BFR may facilitate an earlier and responsible start to effective strength training, while reducing the load on the recovering knee and allowing rehabilitation to be tailored more closely to the individual patient.

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