The effects of patellar taping on patellofemoral incongruence - A computedtomography study

Patellar taping for the purpose of patellar medialization is a nonoperative rehabilitation technique used in the treatment of patellofemoral pain. Des pite early reports of excellent success rates, the indications for this tre atment and its efficacy on patellofemoral pain are unclear. The present com puted tomography study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of patellar ta ping on patellofemoral incongruence. Sixteen female patients (age range, 16 to 25 years) with anterior knee pain related to patellofemoral incongruenc e underwent computed tomography examination with their quadriceps muscles r elaxed and contracted both before and after patellar taping. Patellar later alization was measured as lateral patellar displacement, and patellar tilt was measured as lateral patellar angle. Patellar taping did not significant ly affect patellofemoral lateralization or tilt. The results of this study do not support the use of this method for passive correction of patellofemo ral incongruence. Although patellar taping may well be effective in control ling anterior knee pain during physical therapy, it does not do so by media lizing the patella.