None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Objective: Patellar taping is a conservative treatment that may reduce patellar malalignment and pain in people with patellofemoral (PFJ) osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to evaluate immediate effects of patellar taping on patellar alignment and pain in people with PFJ OA Methods: Patellar malalignment was measured from magnetic resonance (MR) (15 degress knee flexion) in 14 individuals with PFJ OA. In the PFJ OA group, MR data were collected in two randomly allocated conditions (tape; no tape). Patellar alignment indices were measured from de-identified axial scans by one examiner. Pain during squatting was recorded in the two conditions (tape; no tape). Results: In the PFJ OA group, patellar tape resulted in a significant lessening of lateral malalignment, with reduced lateral displacement (p = 0.028) and increased lateral patellar tilt angle (p < 0.001). Mean pain during squatting decreased with patellar tape by 15 mm on a 100mm scale (p = 0.045). Conclusions: Patellar tape may reduce malalignment and pain associated with PFJ OA.
Interventions
a) application of tape
Taping to correct patellar alignment was applied in a standardized manner by the same investigator who is an experienced physiotherapist. Where necessary, skin was shaved prior to tape application. Two pieces of rigid tape (Leuko Sportstape Premium Plus, Beiersdorf Australia Ltd) were used to apply a medial patellar glide, as well as a medial and superior tilt to the patellar. To unload the infrapatellar fat pad, another two pieces of tape were applied distal to the patell
a) application of tape Taping to correct patellar alignment was applied in a standardized manner by the same investigator who is an experienced physiotherapist. Where necessary, skin was shaved prior to tape application. Two pieces of rigid tape (Leuko Sportstape Premium Plus, Beiersdorf Australia Ltd) were used to apply a medial patellar glide, as well as a medial and superior tilt to the patellar. To unload the infrapatellar fat pad, another two pieces of tape were applied distal to the patella. Hypoallergenic tape (Fixomull (registered trademark) stretch, Beiersdorf Australia Ltd) was applied beneath the rigid tape to prevent skin irritation. Participants were asked to report any symptoms of skin irritation while they wore the tape, and the knee was inspected after the tape was removed. b) tape was applied immediately prior to testing and worn only for the duration of testing (ie 30 - 60 minutes) c) duration between intervention and control was 30 - 60 minutes
Sponsors
Early Career Research Scheme
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
40 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
inclusion was based on: (i) history of knee pain in the preceding week on at least two of the following activities: stair ambulation, squatting, rising from sitting and locomotion (walking and/or jogging); (ii) average overall knee pain >3 points on a 10 point numerical pain scale; (iii) primary area of pain described in the anterior or retropatellar regions; (iv) physical examination revealing tenderness in the peri-patellar region; and (v) radiographic evidence of either an osteophyte of severity at least grade 2, or joint space narrowing of at least grade 1 with concurrent grade 1 osteophyte(s) in the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) on skyline x-ray. Individuals with concomitant tibiofemoral joint (TFJ) osteoarthritis (OA) were included if the predominant source of symptoms was deemed to be from the PFJ.
Exclusion criteria
(i) pain at a site distant to the patellar; (ii) concomitant injury or pathology in the lumbar spine, hip or other knee joint structures; (iii) history of fracture, arthroplasty or osteotomy of the knee or hip; (iv) inability to understand written and spoken English; (v) history of allergic reaction to tape; or (vi) contraindications for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (eg implanted metal in vital organs).
Outcome results
None listed