Clinical Applications of Blood Flow Restriction and Rehabilitation Outcomes

Anterior Knee Pain patients We will recruit 40 male adult participants who had consulted a sports medicine physician in a primary care setting for anterior knee pain complaints. A standardized history and physical examination will be conducted by the physiotherapists of the rehabilitation department for inclusion in the study. Inclusion criteria: * age over 18 years, * diagnosis of AKP confirmed by history and physical examination (with or without imaging) for more than six weeks * non-traumatic history of pain onset * pain at least during one of the three functional tests used as outcome measure (single-leg shallow leg squat, single-leg deep knee squat, step down) * pain equal or greater than 3/10 on a numeric pain rating scale (at least in 2/3 functional tests) * unobstructed knee range of motion and no pain in passive end-range knee extension Exclusion criteria: * BMI greater than 28 * systemic pathology including inflammatory joint disease or neoplastic disorders * history of deep venous thrombosis * hypertension (systolic pressure \>140mmHg) * history of endothelial dysfunction * peripheral vascular disease * diabetes * knee pain referred from the spine * history of previous neurological conditions * any previous medical treatment including injections (past 3 months) or drug therapy (i.e., anti-inflammatory drugs the last 2 weeks) * infection * previous blood flow restriction training * inability to understand written and spoken English or Arabic. Rotator cuff related shoulder pain patients We will recruit 40 male adult participants who had consulted a sports medicine physician in a primary care setting for shoulder complaints. A standardized history and physical examination were conducted by the physiotherapists of the rehabilitation department for inclusion in the study. Inclusion criteria: * age over 18 years * rotator cuff related shoulder pain for more than six weeks * pain greater than 3/10 on a numeric pain rating scale on active abduction and/or resisted external rotation at zero degrees of shoulder abduction (assessed in standing with the arm in slight abducted position) Exclusion criteria: * full-thickness rotator cuff tear (positive drop-arm sign and/or radiographic or ultrasonographic evidence) * BMI greater than 28 * previous shoulder surgery or shoulder fracture * imaging evidence of severe shoulder osteoarthritis or tendon calcification,\\ * adhesive capsulitis * systemic pathology including inflammatory joint disease or neoplastic diso…