Kinesio taping as a treatment method in the acute phase of ACL reconstruction: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed on investigating the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) in acute postoperative rehabilitation phase of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.Methods: Thirty male patients (mean age: 28.1 years) with ACL reconstruction were randomly assignedto two groups: (1) an experimental group to receive a KT treatment through the muscle and lymphaticcorrection techniques; or (2) a control group for sham KT. Both interventions were applied twice during a10-day period from the fourth postoperative day. All patients received the same rehabilitation programfor three months. The groups were compared according to range of motion (ROM), pain, swelling andmuscle strength before treatment and on theŞfth and tenth treatment days. Subjective evaluations weremade with the Lysholm, modiŞed Cincinnati and Tegner scores on the Şrst and third postoperativemonths.Results: Intragroup comparisons showed signiŞcant improvements in both groups on the Şfth and tenthday andŞrst and third month evaluations (p < 0.05). In comparison to the control group, the experimental group showed signiŞcant improvements in swelling around the patella, all pain measurementsand hamstring muscle strength on theŞfth KT day and knee ?exion range of motion (ROM), night pain,all swelling measurements and hamstring muscle strength on the tenth KT day (p< 0.05).Conclusion: Our results revealed that KT techniques applied in addition to the acute rehabilitationprogram of ACL reconstruction are beneŞcial in treatment of pain, swelling, knee ?exion ROM, andhamstring muscle strength.Level of evidence: Level I, Therapeutic study.

Objective: In this study, we aimed on investigating the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) in acute postoperative rehabilitation phase of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.Methods: Thirty male patients (mean age: 28.1 years) with ACL reconstruction were randomly assignedto two groups: (1) an experimental group to receive a KT treatment through the muscle and lymphaticcorrection techniques; or (2) a control group for sham KT. Both interventions were applied twice during a10-day period from the fourth postoperative day. All patients received the same rehabilitation programfor three months. The groups were compared according to range of motion (ROM), pain, swelling andmuscle strength before treatment and on theŞfth and tenth treatment days. Subjective evaluations weremade with the Lysholm, modiŞed Cincinnati and Tegner scores on the Şrst and third postoperativemonths.Results: Intragroup comparisons showed signiŞcant improvements in both groups on the Şfth and tenthday andŞrst and third month evaluations (p < 0.05). In comparison to the control group, the experimental group showed signiŞcant improvements in swelling around the patella, all pain measurementsand hamstring muscle strength on theŞfth KT day and knee ?exion range of motion (ROM), night pain,all swelling measurements and hamstring muscle strength on the tenth KT day (p< 0.05).Conclusion: Our results revealed that KT techniques applied in addition to the acute rehabilitationprogram of ACL reconstruction are beneŞcial in treatment of pain, swelling, knee ?exion ROM, andhamstring muscle strength.Level of evidence: Level I, Therapeutic study.