Knee Taping

Benefits of Knee Taping

When used correctly, knee taping techniques can:

• Aid healing of knee injuries
• Allow an earlier return to sport or activity following injury
• Reduce the likelihood of injury aggravation
• Prevent knee injuries (such as an MCL or LCL sprain) during high risk activities or sports (such as skiing, rugby etc.).

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Indications for Knee Taping

It is generally beneficial to tape a knee in the following instances:

• Following certain knee injuries – Knee strapping may be beneficial following certain knee injuries (such as sprains). This should be discussed with the treating physiotherapist as certain knee injuries should not be taped – such as some fractures.
• To prevent injury or injury aggravation – Knee strapping may be beneficial during sports or activities that place the knee at risk of injury or injury aggravation (such as skiing, rugby, basketball etc.)

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When should I avoid Knee Taping?

Knee taping should be avoided in the following instances:

• If you have certain injuries such as some fractures (this should be discussed with the treating physiotherapist)
• If you have a skin allergy to sports tape
• If the taping technique results in an increase in symptoms such as pain, ache, itchiness, discolouration, pins and needles, swelling, numbness or excessive redness of the knee, lower leg, ankle, foot or toes.
• If you have sensory or circulatory problems

Weaning off knee tape in general activity is usually recommended as strength, range of movement and function improves and symptoms reduce. In these instances though, taping during high-risk activity (such as some sports) is usually still recommended.

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Knee Taping Techniques

The following taping techniques may be used to provide support for the knee and are particularly beneficial following an MCL or LCL sprain, or, to prevent a sprained knee. Generally it is recommended that the knee is shaved 12 hours prior to taping (to prevent painful removal of hairs and skin irritation). The skin should be cleaned and dried, removing any grease or sweat. Low irritant Fixomull tape should be applied as an under-wrap to reduce the likelihood of skin irritation with rigid sports tape over the top of this.

Some or all of these taping techniques may be applied to tape the knee and provide the support required for the individual.

Anchors

Begin this taping technique with the knee in a slight bend (approximately 30 degrees) and the thigh muscles contracted (figure 1). Place a strip of tape around the top of the lower leg and bottom of the thigh as demonstrated (figure 1). This should be applied gently to prevent circulatory problems and is used as a fixation point for the other taping techniques.

Figure 1 – Anchors

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Medial Crosses

Keeping the knee in a slight bend (approximately 30 degrees), start the tape at the level of the lower leg anchor on the inner aspect of the knee by following the black arrows (figure 2). Conclude this taping technique at the level of the thigh anchor by firmly following the white arrows (figure 2). 2 pieces of tape should be used forming a cross (figure 2). Do 1 - 2 medial crosses depending on the amount of support required.

Figure 2 – Medial Crosses

Benefits of Fat Pad Taping

When used correctly, infrapatellar fat pad taping techniques can:

• Decrease pain during sport or activity
• Aid healing of certain knee injuries (such as infrapatellar fat pad impingement)
• Correct patella alignment
• Allow an earlier return to sport or activity following injury
• Reduce the likelihood of injury aggravation
• Prevent knee injuries (such as infrapatellar fat pad impingement) during high risk sports (such as netball, basketball, football, soccer etc.)
• Improve activation of the VMO muscle (Inner Quadriceps – figure 1)

Figure 1 – The Quadriceps and VMO

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Indications for Fat Pad Taping

It is generally beneficial to tape the infrapatellar fat pad in the following instances:

• With certain knee injuries – such as fat pad impingement where abnormal patella tracking is contributing to the injury (this should be discussed with the treating physiotherapist as certain knee injuries should not be taped – such as some fractures).
• To prevent injury or injury aggravation – Fat pad taping may be beneficial during sports or activities that place the knee at risk of injury or injury aggravation (such as netball, basketball, football, soccer etc.) particularly in individuals with a recent history of fat pad impingement.

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When should I avoid Fat Pad Taping?

Fat pad taping should be avoided in the following instances:

• If you have certain injuries such as some fractures (this should be discussed with the treating physiotherapist)
• If you have a skin allergy to sports tape
• If the taping technique results in an increase in symptoms such as pain, ache, itchiness, discolouration, pins and needles, numbness, swelling, or excessive redness of the knee, foot or ankle.
• If you have sensory or circulatory problems

Weaning off fat pad tape in general activity is usually recommended as strength, range of movement, patella positioning, biomechanics and balance improve and symptoms reduce. In these instances though, taping during high-risk activity (such as sport) may still be recommended.

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Fat Pad Taping Technique

The following fat pad taping techniques may be used to provide support for the infrapatellar fat pad and knee and to reduce abnormal patella positioning contributing to fat pad impingement. Generally it is recommended that the knee is shaved 12 hours prior to taping (to prevent painful removal of hairs and skin irritation). The skin should be cleaned and dried, removing any grease or sweat. Low irritant Fixomull tape should be applied as an under-wrap to reduce the likelihood of skin irritation with rigid sports tape over the top of this.

Correcting Patella Tilt

Begin lying on your back, with the knee slightly bent, but completely relaxed and a foam roller or rolled up towel under the knee. Holding both ends of a line of tape, place it firmly down onto the top of the knee cap so the top third to half of the knee cap is covered by the tape (figure 2). This technique is designed to tilt the patellar so the top half of the knee cap moves towards the thigh bone, with the lower half subsequently moving further away from the shin bone, reducing compression of the patella on the fat pad. Repeat this process 1 - 3 times depending on the amount of support required.

Figure 2 – Correcting Patellar Tilt