Can patellar tape reduce the patellar malalignment and pain associated with patellofemoral osteoarthritis?

Abstract

Objective. Patellar taping is a conservative treatment that may reduce patellar malalignment and pain in people with patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to compare patellar alignment in people with and without patellofemoral joint OA and to evaluate immediate effects of patellar taping on patellar alignment and pain in people with patellofemoral joint OA. Methods. Patellar malalignment was measured from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 15° knee flexion) in 28 individuals (14 with patellofemoral joint OA and 14 asymptomatic, age-matched controls). In the patellofemoral joint OA group, MRI data were collected in 2 randomly allocated conditions (tape and no tape). Patella..