Taping Knees in Osteoarthritis- and Maybe Kneecap Pains

Knee taping can be self done and may reduce knee pains.

Aust Fam Physician. 2013 Oct;42(10):725-6.
Taping for knee osteoarthritis.
Handbook of Non Drug Intervention (HANDI) Project Team.
http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2013/october/taping-for-knee-osteoarthritis/

• They state re tape:

“Physiotherapists typically use an adhesive, non-stretch (rigid) 38 mm sports tape to restrict undesired motion and improve patella positioning. This is used in combination with a hypoallergenic underlay tape. Both tapes are available over the counter from pharmacies.”” ie – “Prior to placing each piece of rigid tape, place several strips of hypoallergenic tape across the knee region to cover the patella and the medial and lateral knee regions.”

• preferably shave leg prior – I would suggest skin adhesive if you are planning to leave it on days
• You want to tape it such that it relieves when you go up and down a step
• 3 tilting techniques – best seen at their site, but if it should somehow disappear here are the 3 types

1. Medial tilt and medial glide
“Start the tape in the middle of the patella, at the level of the superior aspect of the patella, lift the skin on the medial side of the knee towards the patella and pull the tape medially. Fix the tape to the medial aspect of the knee just short of the hamstring tendons ensuring there is some slight wrinkling of the skin (Figure 1). This tilts the lateral patellar border away from the femur.”

2. Anteroposterior tilt and medial glide 

“Start the rigid tape on the lateral aspect of the knee at the level of the superior aspect of the patella. Gently lift the skin on the medial side of the knee towards the patella as you pull the tape medially. Fix the tape to the medial aspect of the knee just short of the hamstring tendons ensuring there is some slight wrinkling of the skin.”

3. Unloading the infrapatellar fat pad and reducing stretch of inflamed soft tissues
Commence the tape at the tibial tubercle and lift the soft tissue towards the patella, while firmly pulling the tape to the medial joint line. Repeat with a second piece of tape but firmly pull the tape toward the lateral joint line

Try each and find what works best

Here’s a pic from another article showing undertaping in patellar syndromes – looks like hypafix

Comment –  taping techniques for patellofemoral pain syndrome are quite similar.