Acute effect of Kinesio Taping on knee pain and stability. Case report

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Knee stability is critical for the execution of functional tasks, maintaining the joint within physiologic limits and preventing possible mechanical loads. A type of taping being increasingly used in recent years is Kinesio Taping, which is often used as resource to improve joint stability and decrease pain. This study aimed at evaluating the acute effect of Kinesio Taping on stability and pain in a patient with chronic knee instability. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 46 years old, with chronic knee instability due to late postoperative period of Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, was evaluated during two functional activities (up/ down a stair and squat), before and immediately after Kinesio Taping. Evaluation tools were visual analog scale and videometry to evaluate knee varus angle peak during functional activities. There has been significant decrease (p<0.001) in mean knee varus angle peak during functional activities up/ down a stair (Pro-Kinesio: 189.4; Post-Kinesio: 186.2) and squat (Pre-Kinesio: 198.2; Post-Kinesio: 189.6). There has also been decrease in the visual analog scale for up/down a stair (Pre-Kinesio: 4; Post-Kinesio: 0) and squat (Pre-Kinesio: 3; Post-Kinesio: 0). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Kinesio Taping was effective to improve knee dynamic stability and decrease pain during functional activities of going up/down a stair and squat.

Keywords

• anterior cruciate ligament
• joint stability
• physiotherapy
• rehabilitation