Effect of taping on patellar mal-alignment 001
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of taping on patellar mal-alignment and subjective perception of pain in patients with patellofemoral pain
IRAS ID
192566
Contact name
Kevin Campbell-Karn
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Brunel University
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN96689245
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
RE13-14, Brunel Ethics
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 27 days
Research summary
Effect of taping on patellar mal-alignment and subjective perception of pain in patients with patellofemoral pain
The knee comprises of two joints. One is a complex joint between the tibial plateau (top of the shin) and the femoral condyles (bottom of the thigh). The other, known as the patellofemoral joint (PFJ), is formed by the patella (kneecap), which sits within a groove (the trochlear) of the femur.
Patellar alignment is a factor of the joint surfaces between the underside of the patella and that of the trochlear groove of the femur. Through normal movement of flexion and extension the patellar tracks within this groove to maintain an even distribution of load on these surfaces. Any abnormalities in the positioning of the patella with respect to the femur (patellar mal-alignment) can result in premature wear of the articular surfaces that can lead to pain and dysfunction which account for a large majority of knee complaints.
Patients with this condition (patellofemoral pain) will be recruited to this study from London Sports Orthopaedics and will undergo measurements of the positioning of the patella using a patellofemoral calliper to measure the bone landmarks clinically as well as having their knee assessed using an MRI scanner. Patients will then have tape applied to reduce their pain and be tested before and after tape application by completing a squat exercise. Patients will also be given a placebo taping intervention in a randomised order. Their pain will be measured by giving a subjective pain score during the squat exercise.
This research will give greater understanding of the beneficial effects of taping on the patellar position and pain perception changes as well as increasing the understanding of the bone landmarks that can be measured clinically and via MRI.REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0327
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion