EFFECT OF TAPING OF PATELLA ON THE VMO & VL RELEXES IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM PETELLOFEMORAL PAIN

Patellar taping is one of the method of treatment of patellofemoral pain but effect of patellar taping on VMO and VL reflex as a one of mechanism of pain relieve is questionable. The purpose of this study were to investigate the effect of patellar taping on the timing of the onset of VMO and VL reflex in patients with patellofemoral pain and to compare the obtained of VMO and VL reflex with normal subject. Onset time of VMO & VL reflex to a special mechanical stimulus (tapping the quadriceps tendon) were measured in 21 healthy subjects and 15 patients suffering from patellofemoral(20-30 years old). Each subject’s quadriceps tendon was tap armed reflex hammer and EMG signals were recorded. Following this recording, the patellar taping was performed on the patients using leucoplast tapes,so that their pain score dropped to less than 50% of their original pain according to VAS, when one leg provocation maneuver was used to provoke the pain in the patellofemoral joints. Latency of the onset of the reflex response of VMO and VL were different in normal subject’s compare to the patients. Taping of patellofemoral joint, as performed in this study, change the timing of the activity of the VMO in the patients suffering from patellofemoral pain. Reduced latency of VMO activation as the result of taping as observed in this study, may have a positive effect on the patellar tracking. Further studies are recommended in order to substantiate the clinical effects of such that change caused by patellar taping.