Effects of Kinesio Taping on Gait Biomechanics in Patellar Tendinopathy Patients
Effects of Kinesio Taping on Gait Biomechanics in Patellar Tendinopathy Patients
This study employed two distinct Kinesio Taping (KT) methods to treat patients with Patellar Tendinopathy (PT). It aimed to compare the efficacy between combined KT-EDF (Epidermis-Dermis-Fascia, EDF) with KT-I taping (I Strip Ligament Correction) and KT-I taping alone in improving pain and function among individuals with patellar tendinopathy. Furthermore, specialized equipment was used to assess changes in gait biomechanics before and after the intervention. Finally, this study integrated gait biomechanical data, scale scores, and surface electromyography signals to elucidate the potential mechanisms through which the combination of KT-EDF and KT-I taping improves gait biomechanics and reduces pain, thereby offering new therapeutic strategies for managing patellar tendinopathy with KT.
Patellar Tendinopathy (PT), commonly referred to as "jumper's knee", is a frequent overuse injury resulting from sustained or high-intensity loading on the patellar tendon. It is characterized by tissue degeneration and microscopic tearing of the tendon due to repetitive mechanical stress. The most common site of pain is the junction between the inferior pole of the patella and the tibial tuberosity. Tenderness may also be present throughout the entire patellar tendon region. Pain is often accompanied by swelling and is exacerbated by physical activity. PT not only exhibits high prevalence among athletic populations but also tends to manifest persistent symptoms. Pain typically occurs during quadriceps-dependent activities such as running, jumping, and squatting. Increased exercise intensity aggravates the pain, which adversely affects the patient's quality of life, impairs athletic performance, and leads to abnormal gait biomechanics.
Kinesio Taping (KT) is widely employed in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and sports injury prevention. Previous studies have indicated that the Kinesio Taping-I Strip Ligament Correction (KT-I) method, a specific KT technique, can reduce pressure at the patellar tendon insertion on the inferior patellar pole and provide external mechanical support to the tendon structure. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness in improving pain, strength, and functional outcomes in PT patients remains inconsistent. Thus, further investigation is warranted to examine whether alternative KT taping methods can simultaneously alleviate pain and correct abnormal biomechanics in individuals with PT.
Among various KT techniques, the Epidermis-Dermis-Fascia (EDF) method employs mesh- or jellyfish-shaped tapes applied with minimal or natural tension (5%-10%) over the affected area. This technique has demonstrated promising results in pain relief and swelling reduction within musculoskeletal rehabilitation contexts. Furthermore, while existing studies on KT for PT have primarily focused on outcomes such as pain, strength, jumping and squatting performance, balance, and joint mobility, there is a notable lack of research regarding its effects on abnormal gait biomechanics in this population.
To address these gaps, this study combined EDF taping with KT-I taping for the treatment of PT patients. Gait parameters, surface electromyography (sEMG) signals of key lower limb muscles, isokinetic strength measurements, pain scores, and VISA-P (Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Patellar) scores were collected before and after the intervention. The outcomes were compared with those obtained from PT patients treated with KT-I taping alone. This study aimed to investigate the potential benefits of combined KT-EDF and KT-I taping in improving pain and function in PT patients, with particular emphasis on gait biomechanical characteristics. The ultimate goal is to enhance patients' quality of life, reduce sports-related injuries, and provide new insights and clinical references for the application of KT in the management of PT.
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