Effect of patellar strap and sports tape on pain in patellar tendinopathy: A randomized controlled trial. Issue 10 (17th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Vries, A.; Zwerver, J.; Diercks, R.; Tak, I.; van Berkel, S.; van Cingel, R.; van der Worp, H.; van den Akker‐Scheek, I.
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. Volume 26:Issue 10(2016)
• Page Start: 1217
• Page End: 1224
• Publication Date: 2015-09-17
• Subjects: Jumper's knee -- brace -- prevention -- patellar tendon; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1111/sms.12556
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0905-7188

Abstract

Abstract : Numerous athletes with patellar tendinopathy (PT) use a patellar strap or sports tape during sports. This study's aim was to investigate the short‐term effect of these orthoses on patellar tendon pain. Participants performed the single‐leg decline squat, vertical jump test, and triple‐hop test under four different conditions (patellar strap, sports tape, placebo, and control). Subsequently, participants practiced sports as usual for 2 weeks; during 1 week, they were assigned to one of the four conditions. Pain was measured with the visual analog scale (VAS). In total, 97 athletes with PT [61% male, age 27.0 (SD8.1), VISA‐P 58.5 (SD12.7)] were analyzed. On the single‐leg decline squat, the VAS pain score reduced significantly in the patellar strap (14 mm, P = 0.04) and the sports tape condition (13 mm, P = 0.04), compared with control, but not placebo. A significant decrease in VAS pain during sports was found in the sports tape (7 mm, P = 0.04) and placebo group (6 mm, P = 0.04). The VAS pain score two hours after sports decreased significantly in the patellar strap, sports tape and placebo group (8‐mm, P < 0.001, 10 mm, P = 0.001 and 7 mm, P = 0.03, respectively). This study's findings indicate that an orthosis (including placebo tape) during sports can reduce pain in PT patients in the short term.