Blood Flow Restriction Training for Subacromial Pain: Two Case Reports

Abstract

Background Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) appears to promote the strengthening of shoulder muscles, but primary clinical applications are limited to the lower extremity. Case Presentation Two female recreational athletes (Case A: 27 years old; Case B: 28 years old) with subacromial pain were treated with BFRT (50% occlusion) during 3 isotonic strengthening exercises of the upper extremity against 20% of the maximal isometric strength. At the beginning of each treatment week, we measured strength with a handheld dynamometer to ensure appropriate load progression. Outcome and Follow-Up Case A completed 16 visits and Case B completed 22 visits of BFRT with no adverse events. At discharge, we found meaningful improvement for patient-reported function, clinical measures of shoulder flexion and external-rotation range of motion and isometric strength, supraspinatus and infraspinatus cross-sectional area, and upper extremity performance. Discussion BFRT may be a valuable adjunct to standard rehabilitation for the conservative management of subacromial pain. Despite the inherent limitations of our design, we believe these preliminary findings are compelling to warrant future investigations. JOSPT Cases 2022;2(2):55–61. doi:10.2519/josptcases.2022.10867