Effect of Kinesio Taping After Rotator Cuff Surgery

This prospective, randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effects of adding postoperative Kinesio Taping (KT) to a standardized rehabilitation program on pain, edema, shoulder range of motion, and functional recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Patients aged 40-70 years who underwent arthroscopic repair of an isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tear measuring 1-3 cm in the mediolateral dimension were eligible for inclusion. Tear size was confirmed intraoperatively using a calibrated arthroscopic probe. Only tears with Patte grade I-II tendon retraction and Goutallier grade 2 or lower fatty degeneration were included.

Patients with massive or multiple-tendon rotator cuff tears, subscapularis involvement, previous surgery on the affected shoulder, glenohumeral arthritis, systemic inflammatory disease, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, or a known allergy to adhesive or kinesiology tape were excluded.

After providing written informed consent, eligible participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups using a computer-generated block randomization sequence with variable block sizes. Allocation concealment was maintained using sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes.

Participants in the intervention group received KT in addition to the standardized postoperative rehabilitation program. KT was initiated on postoperative day 1 and reapplied every three days during the first four postoperative weeks, with each application maintained continuously for approximately 72 hours. Participants in the control group followed the same standardized postoperative rehabilitation program without taping. All KT applications were performed by the same certified physiotherapist using a standardized technique.

Because of the visible nature of the intervention, participants and outcome assessors were not blinded to group allocation. However, the assessors were not involved in generating the randomization sequence or concealing treatment allocation.

The primary outcome was postoperative pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included shoulder forward flexion and abduction, postoperative edema, shoulder function measured using the Constant-Murley Score, upper-extremity disability measured using the QuickDASH questionnaire, and postoperative complications, including tape-related skin reactions.

Postoperative edema was assessed by measuring the circumference of the operated shoulder at a standardized point in the deltoid region and comparing it with the contralateral shoulder. Shoulder range of motion was measured using a standard goniometer. Each range-of-motion measurement was repeated three times, and the mean value was recorded.

Clinical assessments were performed preoperatively and on postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3. Outcomes were compared between the two groups and evaluated longitudinally to determine whether the addition of KT influenced the pattern of early postoperative recovery following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals aged between 18 and 70 years
• Patients with clinical suspicion of rotator cuff tear on physical examination and a diagnosis established by magnetic resonance imaging, with intraoperative confirmation
• Patients with at least two positive impingement tests on physical examination (Jobe, Hawkins-Kennedy, Neer)
• Patients without a diagnosed psychiatric disorder
• Patients without a history or current diagnosis of cervical pathology
• Patients with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score of 3 or higher for at least 3 months prior to surgery
• Patients able to participate regularly in postoperative follow-up for a period of one year
• Patients who agree to participate voluntarily and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• History of shoulder dislocation
• History of fracture involving the shoulder or surrounding structures
• Inability to comply with postoperative treatment or attend regular follow-up visits
• Known skin hypersensitivity or allergy to kinesio taping
• Known rheumatologic or neurological disease
• History of previous shoulder or peri-shoulder surgery
• Presence of cervical disc pathology