A Kinesio Taping Method Applied in the Treatment of Postsurgical Knee Swelling after Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Background The knee is one of the joints in the human body that is most susceptible of osteoarthritis (OA). In the case of advanced-stage OA, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a treatment of choice. One modern physiotherapeutic method to support the treatment in the early postsurgical period is Kinesio Taping (KT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of KT on swollen subcutaneous tissue after TKA. Materials and methods. The studied group consisted of 23 patients who had received TKA. The mean BMI was 30.60 ± 4.91, and KT was applied between the 3rd and 8th day of the early postoperative period. The control group was constituted by 22 patients who had received TKA. The mean BMI was 30.41 ± 6.00, and KT was not applied. On the 3rd and 8th day after TKA, in all patients, the swelling of the shin, range of motions (ROM), and pain were measured using ultrasound, a goniometer, and a VAS scale, respectively. Results. In the KT group, the lateral measurement at the top of the head of the fibula significantly decreased between the 3rd and 8th day (11.47 ± 0.76 vs. 9.76 ± 0.77; p = 0.0004). The knee flexion angle on day 3 was statistically significantly different from that on day 8 (48.61 ± 3.08 vs. 72.74 ± 3.92; p = 0.00004). The evaluation results for severity of pain using the VAS scale on day 3 were statistically significantly higher than those on day 8 (5.74 ± 0.25 vs. 4.30 ± 0.25; p = 0.00006). In the group of patients to whom KT was not applied, the lateral measurement at the top of the head of the fibula on day 3 was not statistically significantly different from that on day 8 (10.323 ± 0.828 vs. 10.273 ± 0.995; p = 0.9227). The knee flexion angle in the group that did not receive KT on day 3 was statistically significantly different from that on day 8 (45.182 ± 3.654 vs. 59.909 ± 4.817; p = 0.0006). The severity of pain evaluated using the VAS scale on day 3 was statistically significantly different from that on day 8 (6.227 ± 0.146 vs. 4.864 ± 0.190; p = 0.0001). Conclusions. KT is an effective method for improving subcutaneous drainage and decreasing subcutaneous tissue. However, KT does not affect postoperative pain and ROM.

Does Application of Lymphatic Drainage with Kinesiology Taping Have Any Effect on the Extent of Edema and Range of Motion in Early Postoperative Recovery following Primary Endoprosthetics of the Knee Joint?

“…In Donec’s research, KT was also applied on the second 24 h after the surgery and remained attached for up to 28 days, re-applied every fifth day with a one-day interval. Our results are consistent with those of Jarecki, based on a smaller group [ 20 ]. In the research of my own, in addition to a centimeter tape measure, an ultrasound scan was also applied, which enabled an objective evaluation of the results and a detailed measure of the subcutaneous tissue.…”

“…According to the author of this method, it is possible to achieve pain-relieving, anti-swell, corrective, and sensation-improving effects, depending on different types of tensions and applications of the tape [ 16 ]. The applied KT lymphatic technique is based on the application of the tape with the tension of 15% with the anchor near the proximal lymph node [ 15 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Its aim is to enable the flow of lymph and blood from the place of congestion and lymphedema by a slight elevation of the skin.…”

“…Its aim is to enable the flow of lymph and blood from the place of congestion and lymphedema by a slight elevation of the skin. Tape properties, such as wave pattern, elasticity, thickness, and weight, similar to skin parameters, enable the extension of the space between the dermis and fascia, which improves the uninhibited lymph flow [ 15 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. A proper application also enables the normalization of muscle and fascial tonus and their corrective positioning.…”

“…It results in muscle loosening and supports its work during the motion. KT assumes the application of natural self-healing processes of the organism [ 15 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. The advantage of this method is safety and the low cost of the therapy [ 21 ].…”

Concentration of Selected Metalloproteinases and Osteocalcin in the Serum and Synovial Fluid of Obese Women with Advanced Knee Osteoarthritis

“…Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis, causes a progressive loss of joint function [ 1 ] and is characterized by biochemical, morphological, molecular, and biomechanical changes in both the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cells, which lead to cartilage softening, ulceration, fibrillation and loss, the sclerosis of subchondral bone as well as subchondral cysts, and osteophytes formation. OA develops as a combined result of environmental and genetic factors, where genetic factors account for nearly 50% of the risk [ 2 ].…”