Effects of patella taping on patella position and perceived pain
Two pages on PainSci cite Bockrath 1993: 1. The Complete Guide to Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome 2. The Dubious Science of Kinesiology Tape
PainSci notes on Bockrath 1993:
Bockrath et al. concluded that “patella taping significantly reduced the perceived pain level” in patellofemoral pain syndrome patients, but clearly noted that “this reduction in pain was not associated with patella position changes.”
original abstract †Abstracts here may not perfectly match originals, for a variety of technical and practical reasons. Some abstacts are truncated for my purposes here, if they are particularly long-winded and unhelpful. I occasionally add clarifying notes. And I make some minor corrections.
Anterior knee pain syndrome (AKPS) represents a significant challenge for the sports medicine clinician. One proposed etiological factor for AKPS is poor vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) control, resulting in lateral glide of the patella. Patella taping has been advocated to increase VMO control. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of patella taping on patella position and perceived pain. Twelve subjects (age = 29 +/- 9 yr; weight = 70.9 kg +/- 17.8; height = 174.0 cm +/- 8.1) with AKPS currently using patella taping procedures with a decrease in their symptoms participated. Each subject had Merchant's view x-rays taken pre- and post-taping while performing an isometric quadriceps contraction to determine patella rotation and patella congruency angles. Subjects also completed a visual analog pain scale after performing a 0.2 m (8") step-down both pre- and post-taping. Paired t-tests revealed no significant change in patellofemoral congruency (P = 0.98) and patella rotation angles (P = 0.80). Significant reduction (50%) in subject pain level was revealed by the visual analog scale (t(15) = 4.99; P < 0.0005). Results demonstrate that patella taping significantly reduced the perceived pain levels during a 0.2-m step-down; however, this reduction in pain was not associated with patella position changes.
related content
- “Patellar taping: a radiographic examination of the medial glide technique,” Larsen et al, American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1995.
- “Effect of Patellar Taping and Bracing on Patellar Position as Determined by MRI in Patients with Patellofemoral Pain,” Worrell et al, Journal of Athletic Training, 1998.
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