Effect of Kinesio Taping After Rotator Cuff Surgery

This study aims to evaluate the effect of postoperative kinesio taping on pain levels and functional recovery in patients who have undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Patients aged between 18 and 70 years with clinical suspicion of rotator cuff tear on physical examination and a diagnosis established by magnetic resonance imaging, with the tear confirmed intraoperatively, will be included in the study.

After providing written informed consent, eligible patients will be randomly assigned into two groups in a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated randomization list.

The intervention group will receive standard postoperative rehabilitation combined with kinesio taping applied for three weeks following surgery. The control group will receive standard postoperative rehabilitation alone.

The study is designed as a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. The investigator responsible for postoperative clinical assessments will be blinded to group allocation in order to minimize evaluation bias.

Pain intensity and functional outcomes will be assessed during postoperative follow-up using validated clinical outcome measures, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and the UCLA shoulder score. Shoulder range of motion will also be recorded.

Patients will be evaluated at postoperative day 1, month 1, and month 3. Clinical outcomes will be compared between the two groups, as well as within each group over time, to assess the recovery process after surgery.

The results of this study are expected to provide further insight into the potential role of kinesio taping as an adjunctive method in postoperative rehabilitation 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