Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Background. Patellar taping is widely used clinically to treat patients with patel-lofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Although patellar taping has been demonstrated to reduce patellofemoral pain in patients with PFPS, the kinematic source for this pain reduction has not been identified. Objective. The purpose of this study was to quantify the changes in the 6-degrees-of-freedom patellofemoral kinematics due to taping in patients with PFPS. Design. A within-subject design and a sample of convenience were used. Participants. Fourteen volunteers (19 knees) who were diagnosed with patel-lofemoral pain that was present for a year or longer were included. Each knee had to meet at least 1 of the following inclusion criteria: Q-angle of 15 degrees, a positive apprehension test, patellar lateral hypermobility (10 mm), or a positive “J sign.” Methods. Each knee underwent 2 randomly ordered testing conditions (untaped and taped). A full fast-phase contrast (PC) magnetic resonance image set was acquired for each condition while the participants volitionally extended and flexed their knee