Do Taping and Orthosis Affect Pain, Gait, or Functionality in Mild Knee Osteoarthritis?

Do Taping and Orthosis Affect Pain, Gait, or Functionality in Mild Knee Osteoarthritis? A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of elastic taping, rigid taping, and braces applied to women with mild knee Osteoartritis(OA) on pain, gait, and knee functionality. Methods: This randomised study included 21 female patients (mean age of 53.81±6.20 years) with bilateral grade 2 knee OA according to the Kellgren & Lawrence Classification. Pain was evaluated with the visual analog scale, functionality was evaluated with the Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index, and the kinetic, kinematic, and spatiotemporal parameters were evaluated using a three-dimensional gait analysis system at baseline (no application) and immediately after the application of elastic taping, rigid taping, and orthoses. The dependent variables were measured after 45 minute the application of four different conditions neutral, elastic taping, rigid taping, and knee brace on each participant with 1-day intervals.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of elastic taping, rigid taping, and braces applied to women with mild knee OA on pain, gait, and knee functionality. Methods: This randomised study included 21 female patients (mean age of 53.81±6.20 years) with bilateral grade 2 knee OA according to the Kellgren & Lawrence Classification. Pain was evaluated with the visual analog scale, functionality was evaluated with the Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index, and the kinetic, kinematic, and spatiotemporal parameters were evaluated using a three-dimensional gait analysis system at baseline (no application) and immediately after the application of elastic taping, rigid taping, and orthoses. The dependent variables were measured after 45 minute the application of four different conditions neutral, elastic taping, rigid taping, and knee brace on each participant with 1-day intervals.

The order of the elastic taping, rigid taping, and braces was randomized using a computer-generated random sequence created before the research (Random.org). Both knees of each participant were taped and braced. The participants were allowed to become accustomed to the applied elastic taping, rigid taping, and braces before the gait analysis and evaluations. All the taping techniques and braces were similar for all the participants. The participants performed four evaluation condition trials at baseline and with the elastic taping, rigid taping, and braces after 45 minutes.

The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Turkish Version 3.1 (WOMAC) index is a self-administered questionnaire that assesses three aspects of a patient's health status -pain, stiffness, and physical function - in those with lower limb Osteoarthritis. Gait analysis was conducted using a 3-dimensional VICON gait analysis system (Workstation Version 4.0, Oxford, UK). Each participant was assessed four times before and after the applications.

Inclusion Criteria: bilateral knee OA according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology had radiographically phase 2 based on the criteria identified by Kellgren & Lawrence -, had active knee pain did not receive any knee treatment in the last year could understand test and evaluations Exclusion Criteria: experienced lower extremity trauma or underwent surgery had phase 3-4 Osteoarthritis had any orthopedic or neurologic problem affecting walking were allergic to taping did not walk independently on their own

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