Popliteus Muscle Release Versus Kinesio Taping

Patellofemoral pain syndrome has been described as one of the most perplexing and clinically challenging chronic disorders.

Symptoms usually include diffuse pain originating from the anterior aspect of the patella and commonly along the medial aspect of the knee. It therefore limits daily activities that need loading on a flexed knee. There is a high incidence, especially among runners, with patellofemoral pain syndrome accounting for 46% of running-related injuries. However, the etiology of this disorder remains vague and controversial. This is reflected in the lack of consensus on how patellofemoral pain syndrome should be treated clinically. Patellofemoral pain syndrome participants have demonstrated abnormal gait patterns with decreased stance phase knee flexion, decreased walking velocity, and decreased muscle activity of the quadriceps musculature. Restoration of normal gait kinematics may be an important component of improving function.

The soft tissue manipulation decreased knee pain and improved muscle activity. Therefore, incorporating popliteus manipulation can be effective in the treatment of anterior knee pain.

Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses of Kinesio Taping treatment in different knee or musculoskeletal problems have been published in recent years. The support taping could reduce pain as an adjunct to traditional exercise therapy in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Kinesio Taping has a significant effect on pain reduction, motor function improvement, and muscle activity change.

So, the current study will help to determine the effect of myofascial release and Kinesio Taping of the popliteus muscle on patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients of both genders with an age range of 18-30 years old.
• minimum 3-month history of patellofemoral pain.
• a pain score for worst pain intensity during the previous week of 3 or more on a Visual Analog Scale (0-10, most pain).
• reproduced by at least two of the following activities: Stair ascent or descent, hopping, running, prolonged sitting, squatting, or kneeling and present on at least one of the following clinical tests: Compression of the patella or palpation of the patellar facets.

Exclusion criteria

• Clinical, x-ray, or MRI findings indicative of other specific pathology, including osteoarthritis, meniscal, ligament, or cartilage injury, or apophysitis.
• recurrent patellar subluxation or dislocation.
• cortisone use over an extended period of time.
• previous surgery to the knee joint; trauma to the knee joint affecting the presenting clinical condition.
• physiotherapy or other similar exercises for patellofemoral pain syndrome within the previous 3 months.