Taping of a patellar tip syndrome

Definition

The patellar tendon syndrome is a chronic disease of the bone-tendon junction at the patella. It is a very painful disease caused by overstrain. It often occurs as a result of constant strain in the form of traction during regularly practiced sports such as volleyball, basketball, high jump, long jump or jogging. Furthermore, reduced elasticity and general weakness of the ligaments of the knee also play an important role in the development of the syndrome.

Effect

Kinesiotapes have increasingly taken on an important role in the treatment of sports diseases. The tapes are elastic and, for therapeutic purposes, stretchable adhesive tapes. They are applied to joints and muscles using a special technique.

They are said to significantly reduce pain and accelerate the healing process. They are also frequently used in the case of patellar tendinitis. There, they develop their effectiveness by relieving the tensile load on the tendons, thus reducing pain and at the same time the wear and tear of the bony structures.

The tape supports the joint in movement and reduces the strain on the surrounding tissue. In addition, the tape should also have a positive effect on blood circulation. Through better microcirculation and lymph drainage, the joint, tendons and muscles are better supplied with blood and the healing process is positively supported.

Instructions

For taping the patella, the patient needs two different tapes. One tape should have the shape of a “Y”, the other should be slightly shorter and a simple strip. These tapes can be pre-fabricated or you can cut them yourself.

If you cut the tapes yourself, the Y-shaped strip should have a base of about 3-4 cm. The corners can be rounded so that the strips stick better to the skin. Before the tape is applied to the skin, it should be cleaned first.

Oil, creams and hairs should be removed so that the tape adheres better and the removal is not unpleasant later. To apply the tape in the correct position, the position of the knee is very important. The correct position of the tape is important so that it can have any effect on the tendon.

The knee should therefore be angled at about 80 degrees. This way you have an optimal position for the application and in case the patient applies the tape himself, he has a good view of the knee. After the strips have been cut to the correct width and length, the peel-off paper can be removed.

Start with the Y-shaped strip. The patient first looks for the patella tendon. This is a rough, palpable structure directly below the kneecap.

The wide base of the strip should now be placed slightly below the tendon. The division into the two laterally running strips should therefore be located exactly on the tendon. Only with the correct placement of the tape can the pain be relieved later.

Afterwards the outgoing strips are glued on. These are glued around the kneecap in a C-shape to the left and right under maximum tension. The tape is well pressed on.

Make sure that the ends of the tape are reapplied without tension or traction. The ends may overlap slightly. Now the second prepared tape is applied.

The I-shaped looking tape is first torn in the middle to create a small gap. This tape strip is now applied directly to the patella tendon with maximum traction. There, the tendon is then relieved additionally, so that the pain should decrease significantly, especially during movement.

To check whether the tape has been applied correctly, the patient can now extend his knee. As a rule, the tapes should now make regular folds. Furthermore, care can be taken to ensure that the tapes stick well in all areas and do not become loose.

The tapes should support but not block movement in the knee joint. Too tight a pull, which feels uncomfortable in the joint, can be counterproductive and not have the desired effect. In most cases, the best and also desired effect is achieved in the first three to five days after application of the tape bandage.It should be worn for a week and can be used for everyday things like showers and also for sports despite sweating.

Even when swimming, the tapes do not usually loosen. If after a few days or even hours skin irritations appear and the skin under and around the tape starts itching, there may be an intolerance to the materials of the tape. It should then be removed again.

If the patient is unsure how to apply the tape on his own, he can get help from a doctor or physiotherapist. In addition, it makes sense to treat patellar tendinitis not only with tapes. Regular physiotherapy under the supervision of a physiotherapist helps to strengthen the muscles of the knee and thus also to protect the tendons from overloading.