Patella Taping

Benefits of Patella Taping

When used correctly, patella taping techniques can:

• Decrease pain during sport or activity
• Aid healing of certain knee injuries
• Correct patella alignment
• Allow an earlier return to sport or activity following injury
• Reduce the likelihood of injury aggravation
• Prevent knee injuries (such as a dislocated patella) 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 Patella Taping

It is generally beneficial to tape the patella in the following instances:

• With certain knee injuries – such as patellofemoral pain syndrome 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 – Patella taping may be beneficial during sports or activities that place the knee (patellofemoral joint) at risk of injury or injury aggravation (such as netball, basketball, football, soccer etc.)

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When should I avoid Patella Taping?

Patella 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 patella 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) is usually still recommended.

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Patella Taping Technique

The following patella taping technique may be used to provide support for the patella and knee and to reduce abnormal patella positioning or tracking (lateral patella tracking). 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.

McConnell Medial PatellaTaping

Begin lying on your back, with the knee slightly bent, but completely relaxed and a foam roller or rolled up towel under the knee. Start the tape in line with the middle of the knee cap at the outer aspect of the knee. Using your thumb on top of the sports tape, gently push the knee cap towards the inner aspect of the knee (figure 2) whilst simultaneously using your fingers to pull the skin at the inner aspect of the knee towards the knee cap. Finish this taping technique at the inner aspect of the knee ensuring you have created some wrinkling of the skin at the inner aspect of the knee (figure 3). Repeat this process 1 - 3 times depending on the amount of support required.

Figure 2 – Patella Taping

Figure 3 – Patella Taping (Completed)

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Removing the tape

Care should be taken when removing the tape to avoid injury aggravation or skin damage. The tape should be removed slowly, pulling the tape back on itself with pressure placed on the skin as close as possible to the line of attachment of the tape.Generally tape should be removed within 48 hours of application or sooner if there is any increase in pain or symptoms (including skin irritation or itchiness).

Benefits of Patella Tendon Taping

When used correctly, patella tendon taping can:

• Decrease pain during sport or activity
• Aid healing of certain knee injuries
• Allow an earlier return to sport or activity following injury
• Reduce the likelihood of injury aggravation
• Prevent the recurrence of knee injuries (such as a patella tendinopathy) during high risk sports (such as netball, basketball, football, soccer etc.)

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Indications for Patella Tendon Taping

It is generally beneficial to tape the patella tendon in the following instances:

• With certain knee injuries – such as patella tendinopathy (this should be discussed with the treating physiotherapist as certain knee injuries should not be taped – such as some fractures).
• To prevent injury recurrence or injury aggravation – Patella tendon taping may be beneficial during sports or activities that place the patella tendon at risk of injury or injury aggravation (such as netball, basketball, football, soccer etc.) especially in patients with a past history of patella tendinopathy.

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When should I avoid Patella Tendon Taping?

Patella tendon 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 patella tendon tape in general activity is usually recommended as strength and flexibility improve and symptoms reduce. In these instances though, taping during high-risk activity (such as some sports) is usually still recommended.

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Patella Tendon Taping

The following taping technique may be used to provide support for the patella tendon. 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.

Patella Tendon Taping

Keeping the knee in a slight bend (approximately 30 degrees), tape around the knee just below the knee cap, at the level of the patella tendon (figure 2). Apply the tape firmly to the front of the knee for support and gently at the back of the knee to prevent circulatory problems. 1 – 3 pieces of tape may be used depending on the level of support required.

Occasionally this taping technique may be made more effective by rolling up a small section of tape into a small cylinder and placing it horizontally across the patella tendon and underneath the tape. The size and shape of this cylinder may need to be tailored to the individual to ensure maximal comfort and minimal pain.

Figure 2 – Patella Tendon Taping

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Removing the tape

Care should be taken when removing the tape to avoid injury aggravation or skin damage. The tape should be removed slowly, pulling the tape back on itself with pressure placed on the skin as close as possible to the line of attachment of the tape. Generally tape should be removed within 48 hours of application or sooner if there is any increase in pain or symptoms (including skin irritation or itchiness).