The effect of patellar taping on joint reaction forces during squatting in subjects with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS).

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION The mechanisms of pain reduction have not completely been established following patellar taping in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS); although it might be related to alteration in the kinetics of the patellofemoral joint. METHODS Patellofemoral Joint Reaction Force (PFJRF) of eighteen subjects with PFPS and eighteen healthy subjects as controls were assessed by a motion-analysis system and one force plate. This procedure was performed on the affected knee of subjects with PFPS, before, during and finally after patellar taping during unilateral squatting. A similar procedure was also performed on the unaffected knees of both groups. RESULTS The mean values of PFJRF prior to taping (2025N, SD 347N) were decreased significantly following a period of taping (1720N, SD 303N) (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the mean values of PFJRF among controls (1922N, SD 398N) and subjects with PFPS prior to taping (P>0.05) which might be due to small sample size in both groups and large variability observed in the study. INTERPRETATION Decreased values of PFJRF may explain the mechanism of pain reduction following patellar taping in subjects with PFPS.

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