ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Comparison between Mc Connell Patellar Taping and Conventional Physiotherapy Treatment in the Management of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome A Randomised Controlled Trial

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), also called Peripatellar Tendinitis in Merchants classification (1988), is the clinical entity of pain on - activity, on patellofemoral joint examination and on stair climbing, squatting, pseudo locking, prolonged sitting etc [1]. Varieties of conservative treatments aresuggested, including quadriceps strengthening, patellar taping, stretching, electrotherapy and biofeedback with no single intervention being most effective. Hence, comparison between thetwo techniques patellar taping and the conventional method was undertaken to determine their effectiveness with respect topain and function. Methods: 20 subjects diagnosed with unilateral PFPS knee were randomly selected and allocated into two group- Group A (Mc Connell taping and vastus medialis obliques (VMO exercises) and Group B (Short Wave Diathermy and VMO exercises).Treatment was continued for two weeks with pre and post Pain and Function recorded. Students t test was used for statistical analysis.Results: Both groups showed statistically significant pain relief and functional improvements. On comparison, Group A showed highly significant pain relief and higher % change for functional increment. Conclusion: Taping and Short Wave Diathermy (SWD) bothshowed significant pain relief and functional improvement. Taping showed highly significant pain relief for eccentric activities with a high % change in function. Thus, patellar taping appears more effective in treating PFPS