Low-intensity Exercise With Moderste Vascular Occlusion For Patient Withh Patella Tendinitis

Introduction
Low-intensity resistance exercise performed by patients with moderate vascular occlusion is known to cause skeletal
muscle hypertrophy over a short term period. In our hospital, the effect has been seen and this type of exercise is often
utilized as a part of rehabilitation. Further, with many of our patients muscle hypertrophy and a quenching analgesic
effect have also been observed. We report the effect of this type of exercise for a patient with patella tendinitis
(Jumper’s Knee).

Methods
The patient was a 17 years old male basketball player and came to us with intense pain in the lower pole of patella in
both knees. An MRI image showed inflammation of the patellar tendon. For treatment, we gave a dose of antiinflammatory
analgetic and a steroid injection, and prescribed bed rest for 1 month.
Exercise with Moderate Vascular Occlusion
We expected that performance of the exercise would prevent a decrease in muscle power. The vascular occlusion point
was at the proximal end of the limb, which had an occlusion pressure ranging from 160 to 180 mmHg. The exercise
components were SLR, hip abduction, hip adduction, calf raise, toe raise, squat, crunch, back extension, and shooting.
The exercise protocol was performed for 3 weeks.

Results
Figure 1 shows an MRI image (cross section and longitudinal section) of the patellar tendon. Before the exercise there
was severe inflammation, however, after 3 weeks, the inflammation was relieved, and swelling and tenderness
disappeared. In addition, there was no evidence of diminisched muscle power or performance ability.

Discussion
We treated the present patient with necessary anti-inflammatory drugs and 1 month of bed rest. However, it was
possible to relieve completely the inflammation with exercise, while muscle atrophy and a reduction of muscle power
were prevented, and the patient quickly started to play basketball again. Our results show that the present low-intensity
resistance exercise was able to be carried out without applying excessive load that may cause lesions. We intend to use
this type of exercise in the future patients and to help them return early to full activity.

References
[1]. Yudai Takarada. Et La. (2000). J Appl Physiol, 88, 2097 - 2106.
[2]. Yudai Takarada. Et La. (2000). J Appl Physiol, 88, 61 - 65.

NOTA: O texto com a iconografia está no anexo

Arquivo