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Abstract
Background
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a complex musculoskeletal condition that can be challenging for the clinician to manage effectively. The use of patella taping as an adjunct treatment option is common practice however the traditional rigid taping materials (RT) are somewhat restrictive in nature when performing high level activities. The introduction of highly elastic taping material Dynamic Tape™ (DT) provides positive feedback from individuals in the clinical setting however there is no supporting evidence available for ongoing use in this management of PFP.
Objective
The aim of this study was to compare the knee kinematics of 30 individuals with PFP during 3 functional tasks (walking, step descent and single leg squat) under 3 taping conditions (no tape, dynamic tape and rigid tape) using 3D motion tracker analysis
Design
Crossover design with randomized but counterbalanced AB/BA order of intervention
Results
Variant knee motion demonstrated by individuals with PFP in the transverse and frontal plane during walking, step and squat were immediately altered following the application of both a localised dynamic tape and rigid tape method to the patella. Gender differences were evident in the outcomes with females demonstrating greater differences in both abduction and rotation ranges compared to the male subjects in both the untaped and taped data sets. Perceived pain levels while performing loaded closed chain activities were reduced with dynamic tape compared to no tape conditions (p=0.010)
Conclusion
This is the first paper to support the use of dynamic tape in the conservative management of PFP as it may allow the individual to participate in higher level activities due to its unique stretch/recoil material. Further research must be completed to investigate the diversity of taping styles that could be incorporated into clinical practice.