Effect of patellar taping and bracing on patellar position as determined by MRI in patients with patellofemoral pain

Objective: To determine the effects of patellar taping, bracing, and not taping on patellar position. Design and Setting: An experimental design was used to compare patellar taping, bracing, and not taping on patellar position as determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Subjects: Twelve subjects with a diagnosis of patellofemoral pain participated in this study. Measurements: Static MRI images were taken at 8 angles of knee flexion (10, 16, 25, 30, 34, 39, 41, and 45 degrees). Patellofemoral congruence angle (PFC), lateral patellar displacement (LPD), and lateral patellar angle (LPA) were determined by digitization. Results: A repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance was used to compare experimental conditions. Across all angles of knee flexion, a more lateral PFC existed for the control condition (-4.1 degrees) than the brace condition (-7.1 degrees) or tape condition (-6.1 degrees). Post hoc testing revealed that this difference was statistically different only at 10 degrees of knee flexion. Across all knee angles, LPD was more medial for the braced condition (1.7 mm) than for the tape (2.7 mm) or control (2.6 mm) condition. Post hoc testing revealed that this difference was statistically different only at 10 degrees of knee flexion. No differences existed between conditions for LPA. Conclusions: We conclude that patellar bracing and taping influenced patellar position (PFC and LPD) at 10 degrees of knee flexion during a static MRI condition.