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Marked knee osteoarthritis can be severely debilitating and affect peoples' quality of life. Pain management can often take the form of medication, physical therapy and exercise, but could kinesio-taping offer some benefit and relief?
Donec et al. (2018) investigated the effects of kinesio-taping and non-specific taping on individuals with severe knee osteoarthritis. The subjects received taping every week, for four weeks, and were then asked their pain score, usage of anti-inflammatory drugs, and level of function.
72% of the participants in the kinesio-taping group experienced a clinically significant reduction in knee pain in comparison to the non-specific taping group. The kinesio-taping group was also found to be more effective in alleviating knee pain when moving, and there was a reduced usage of anti-inflammatory drugs in 42% of the group.
Being able to move and exercise is also an important management tool for knee osteoarthritis, and if kinesio-taping can accommodate individuals to exercise more and perform strength training, then it is a useful non-invasive tool to offer.
Donec, V. and Kubilius, R. (2018). Effectiveness of kinesio-taping in severe pain treatment due to knee osteoarthritis. A randomised double-blinded controlled trial. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 61: 131.