Low-Load Blood-Flow-Restricted Exercise to Prevent Muscle Atrophy and Decline in Functional Performance in a Patient Recovering From a Malleolus Fracture. A Case Report

This present case presentation offers supportive evidence that low-load blood-flow-restriction exercise (LL-BFRE) may be a feasible intervention to preserve skeletal muscle mass and, in part, lower-limb muscle function after a fracture of the lateral malleolus. A 28-year-old female patient sustained a radiographically verified stabile fracture of the lateral malleolus and was treated with a walker cast. She was allowed weight bearing on the limb within the limits of her pain threshold and to perform unloaded plantar and dorsiflexion movements of the ankle. The patient performed 12 weeks of home-based LL-BFRE 4 times per week to diminish declines in functional performance, muscle strength, and skeletal muscle atrophy. We observed that LL-BFRE was feasible with no exercise-related adverse events in the early stage of rehabilitation. The patient experienced no-or-low pain during exercise. Vastus lateralis muscle volume, and thigh and calf circumference was preserved.