Effects of patellofemoral taping on patellofemoral joint alignment and contact area during weight bearing

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2017

Publication Title

Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy

Volume

47

Issue

2

First page number:

115

Last page number:

123

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. BACKGROUND: Although it has been theorized that patellofemoral joint (PFJ) taping can correct patellar malalignment, the effects of PFJ taping techniques on patellar alignment and contact area have not yet been studied during weight bearing. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of 2 taping approaches (Kinesio and McConnell) on PFJ alignment and contact area. METHODS: Fourteen female subjects with patellofemoral pain and PFJ malalignment participated. Each subject underwent a pretaping magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan session and 2 MRI scan sessions after the application of the 2 taping techniques, which aimed to correct lateral patellar displacement. Subjects were asked to report their pain level prior to each scan session. During MRI assessment, subjects were loaded with 25% of body weight on their involved/more symptomatic leg at 0°, 20°, and 40° of knee ffexion. The outcome measures included patellar lateral displacement (bisect-offset [BSO] index), mediolateral patellar tilt angle, patellar height (Insall-Salvati ratio), contact area, and pain. Patellofemoral joint alignment and contact area were compared among the 3 conditions (no tape, Kinesio, and McConnell) at 3 knee angles using a 2-factor, repeated-measures analysis of variance. Pain was compared among the 3 conditions using the Friedman test and post hoc Wilcoxon signedrank tests. RESULTS: Our data did not reveal any signifcant effects of either McConnell or Kinesio taping on the BSO index, patellar tilt angle, Insall-Salvati ratio, or contact area across the 3 knee angles, whereas knee angle had a signifcant effect on the BSO index and contact area. A reduction in pain was observed after the application of the Kinesio taping technique. CONCLUSION: In a weight-bearing condition, this preliminary study did not support the use of PFJ taping as a medial correction technique to alter the PFJ contact area or alignment of the patella. © 2017 Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.

Language

english

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