Kinematic MRI assessment of McConnell taping before and after exercise

The authors assessed the effectiveness of McConnell medial glide taping after exercise using an MRI extremity scanner.

McConnell taping would not be effective in maintaining medial glide of the patella after exercise.

Eighteen healthy women (mean age 22.28 +/- 2.02 years) participated in the study. The patellofemoral joint was imaged at 4 knee flexion angles (0 degrees, 12 degrees, 24 degrees, and 36 degrees ) in 3 conditions (no tape, with McConnell taping-medial glide, and with tape after exercise). Effectiveness was determined by measuring lateral patellar displacement. ANOVA and post hoc paired t tests were used to test for changes in lateral patellar displacement at each knee angle and condition.

Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in lateral patellar displacement at all test angles, between the tape and no tape and between tape and tape after exercise conditions.

McConnell medial glide taping resulted in significant medial glide of the patellofemoral joint at all 4 knee angles before but not after exercise. However, McConnell medial glide taping may be effective under controlled rehabilitation conditions in which exercise is less intense.

Beneficial effects of McConnell medial glide taping may be related to factors other than altered patellar alignment.