Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation at UPMC Rehabilitation Institute

Blood flow restriction rehabilitation (BFR) is the use of a specialized tourniquet system on an exercising arm or leg. It is inflated to a personalized and specific pressure intermittently to reduce blood flow to the extremity.

Utilization of BFR technology minimizes the effects of limited extremity use, shortens rehab time, and has been shown to enhance outcomes.

Patients who could benefit from Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation include those recovering from:

• Achilles repairs
• Fractures
• Inflammatory muscle wasting diseases, such as polymyositis and dermatomyositis
• Knee reconstructions and cartilage repairs
• Muscle strains
• Nerve injuries
• Rotator cuff repairs
• Severe musculoskeletal trauma
• Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis
• Tendinopathies
• Total joint replacement

BFR technology may also benefit patients who have continued weakness after surgery, despite conservative care.

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• Inpatient Rehabilitation.
• Outpatient Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy.
• Rehabilitation Doctors.