Effects of patella taping on patella position and perceived pain

Anterior knee pain syndrome (AKPS) represents a significant challenge for the sports medicine clinician. One proposed etiological factor for AKPS is poor vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) control, resulting in lateral glide of the patella. Patella taping has been advocated to increase VMO control. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of patella taping on patella position and perceived pain. Twelve subjects (age = 29 +/- 9 yr; weight = 70.9 kg +/- 17.8; height = 174.0 cm +/- 8.1) with AKPS currently using patella taping procedures with a decrease in their symptoms participated. Each subject had Merchant's view x-rays taken pre- and post-taping while performing an isometric quadriceps contraction to determine patella rotation and patella congruency angles. Subjects also completed a visual analog pain scale after performing a 0.2 m (8") step-down both pre- and post-taping. Paired t-tests revealed no significant change in patellofemoral congruency (P = 0.98) and patella rotation angles (P = 0.80). Significant reduction (50%) in subject pain level was revealed by the visual analog scale (t(15) = 4.99; P < 0.0005). Results demonstrate that patella taping significantly reduced the perceived pain levels during a 0.2-m step-down; however, this reduction in pain was not associated with patella position changes.