Effect of Kinesotaping on Management of Supraspinatus Tendinitis

Shoulder pain is a very common musculoskeletal disorder affecting a large portion of population . Prevalence ranges from 6% to 26% and it is estimated that 33% of population will have one episode of shoulder pain in lifetime. Rotator cuff tendonitis is considered as most common pathology of shoulder . Supraspinatus is one of the four muscles that can cause rotator cuff tendonitis. It is a common clinical disorder that causes functional and labor disorders. It is also the most frequent cause of shoulder pain.

The origin of supraspinatus is fossa of scapula and its insertion is at superior facet on greater tuberosity of humerus. The nerve supply is at C4, C5 and C6. The main function of supraspinatus is abduction of shoulder.

Indications: Supraspinatus tendonitis present following conditions

• Pain and inflammation
• Decreased ROM
• Decreased strength
• Decreased functional activity Injury Mechanisms: Supraspinatus tendonitis is caused by extrinsic as well as intrinsic factors. Extrinsic factors include increased subacromial activity, trauma, overhead activity, soft tissue imbalance, eccentric muscle overload and glenohumeral laxity. Intrinsic factorare acromial morphology, aging, acromioclavicular arthrosis and coracoacromial ligament hypertrophy.

Kinesiotaping (KT) is widely used in clinical settings for rehabilitation of shoulder disorders . It is designed to facilitate the body's natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body's range of motion. The functioning of kinesio tap is based on following:

• Lifting effects of epidermis layers and papillary dermis, caused by micro-convolutions formed on the taped skin .
• Due to wrinkles generated by the KT, vascular networks in deep vessels under the skin are increased, reducing swelling and inflammation in injured tissues .
• KT contributes to pain relief by producing increased stimulation of cutaneous mechanoreceptors, and provides muscle activation.

Akbaba et. al. investigated the effects of kinesio tape in management of rotator cuff tear and found that application of KT is effective in improving pain and function but the improvement was not clinically significant . Desjardins et. al. studied the efficacy of KT for rotator cuff tendonitis and found that KT significantly improved pain free range of motion. However, it couldn't be concluded with sufficient evidence that tendonitis was reduced significantly.

Inclusion criteria

Both Gender / Age b/w 25-60 Shoulder Pain at rest Positive Neer's Test Positive Drop Arm Test Positive Empty Can Test Positive Hawkin's Kennedy Test

Exclusion criteria

• Cervical Post op, referred pain, radiculopathy, open wound, allergy to KT