Effect of ischaemic compression versus kinesiotape on patellar tendinitis

Abstract

Introduction. The goal of this study was to compare the impact of ischaemic compression and kinesiotape on pain, physical function, and resting myoelectric activity of vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles in patients with unilateral acute patellar tendinitis. Methods. Overall, 33 patients were randomly assigned to 3 equal groups. Group A received ischaemic compression and conventional treatment of patellar tendinitis. Group B received kinesiotape and conventional treatment of patellar tendinitis. Group C received only conventional treatment. Each patient received 3 sessions per week for 1 month. Pain intensity, physical function, and resting myoelectric activity were measured before, after, and after another 2 weeks of completion of the study. Results. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in all the variables between the pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up evaluations in the 3 groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Kinesiotape is more effective than ischaemic compression in decreasing pain intensity level, improving physical function, and enhancing the activity of vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles in patients with unilateral acute patellar tendinitis.