Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common musculoskeletal-related condition that is characterized by insidious onset of poorly defined pain, localized to the anterior retro-patellar and/or peripatellar region of the knee. The onset of symptoms can be slow or acutely develop with a worsening of pain accompanying lower-limb loading activities (e.g. squatting, prolonged sitting, ascending/descending stairs, jumping, or running). This randomized controlled trial compares the effects of McConnell taping and Kinesio taping, each combined with a standardized hip and knee strengthening exercise program, in patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). A total of 34 participants (17 per group), aged 26-44 years, will be randomly allocated into two groups. Both groups will undergo a 4-week intervention, consisting of supervised sessions on alternate days. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention. Group A will receive conventional physical therapy, hip and knee strengthening exercises, and McConnell taping. The intervention includes TENS, heating pad application, progressive strengthening exercises, functional training, stretching, and rigid McConnell taping applied before each session to provide medial patellar glide and improve patellar alignment. Group B will receive the same conventional physical therapy and strengthening program but with Kinesio taping. Elastic Kinesio tape will be applied using standardized I-strip and Y-strip techniques to facilitate patellar alignment, improve proprioception, and provide neuromuscular support. The tape may remain in place for 1-2 days, if tolerated. The primary outcomes include pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), range of motion (universal goniometer), and functional disability (KOOS-Patellofemoral questionnaire), measured at baseline and after the 4-week intervention.
Adults 26-44 years of age
Both males and females
Subjects having anterior knee pain during (AKP) squatting or stair climbing/descending.
Chronic localized to the anterior retro-patellar and/or peripatellar region of the knee.
Malignancies
History of steroid therapy over 3 months
Diagnosed Chondromalacia Patellae
Diagnosed Plica Syndrome
Parallel
Mc Connell tape
Procedure/SurgeryA stretchy adhesive fabric tape will be applied prior for base to prevent skin irritation then the Mc Connell tape will be applied by anchoring it lateral condyle of femur to medial posterior aspect of the knee to realign the patella by applying a medial patellar glide. The tape will be applied prior to each exercise session, maintained throughout the treatment session McConnell tape will be replaced each session due to rigidity The strengthening program will progress over four weeks from hip and knee isometric exercises, to hip and knee isotonic exercises followed by functional, resistance-based exercises and stretching.
Kinesio taping
Procedure/SurgeryI strap without tension on tibial tuberosity horizontally and y strap for stabilizing and realigning patella with medial strap (25-40%) and lateral strap (75-100%) mechanical stretch. The strengthening program will progress over four weeks from hip and knee isometric exercises, to hip and knee isotonic exercises followed by functional, resistance-based exercises and stretching.
Knee Pain
Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Horizontal scale having numbers 0-10. 0 indicating no pain to 10 indicating worst pain
Hip and Knee Range of Motion
Universal Goniometer will be used to assess the range of motion of hip and knee The baseline assessment will establish each participant's pre-intervention ROM values, which will serve as the reference (baseline) values for subsequent comparison, changes in hip and knee ROM from baseline to post-intervention will be determined within each group.
Functional Disability
The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Patellofemoral subscale (KOOS-PF) is an 11-item, patient-reported, disease-specific questionnaire generally scored on a 0-100 scale. A lower score indicates greater symptoms and functional limitations, whereas a higher score indicates better function and fewer symptoms.
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