Study Design: Pre- and postintervention repeated measures design.

Objective:To determine the effects of patellar taping on knee kinetics, kinematics, and vastus lateralis muscle activity during stair ambulation in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP).

Background: Patellar taping is a common treatment technique for individuals with PFP. Specific data on whether patellar taping improves gait variables, however, are limited.

Methods and Measures: Ten subjects with a diagnosis of PFP were studied (5 men, 5 women). The subjects’ mean age, height, and mass were 36.5 ± 11.1 years, 173.1 ± 10.3 cm, and 70.9 ± 13.3 kg, respectively. Lower extremity kinematics, ground reaction forces, and vastus lateralis EMG were obtained simultaneously while subjects ascended and descended stairs, under taped and untaped conditions. Knee moments were calculated using inverse dynamics equations. Four 2 ×2 (tape condition x stair condition) ANOVAs for repeated measures were generated for cadence and average stance phase knee extensor moment, knee flexion angle, and EMG.

Results: On the average, a 92.6% reduction in pain was observed following the application of tape. Increases in cadence, knee flexion angles, and knee extensor moments were observed under the taped condition for both stair ascent and descent; however, no difference in average vastus lateralis EMG was found.

Conclusions: Although patellar taping resulted in decreased pain and increased knee extensor moments, knee flexion angles, and cadence during stair ambulation, the vastus lateralis EMG activity level did not change with taping. Based on data from the vastus lateralis, care must be taken if improved gait parameters indicate change in muscle recruitment.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2002; 32(1):3–10.

Key Words: biomechanics, gait, patella, physical therapy

Study Design: This is a prospective observational study.

Objective:To determine the relationship of self-reported and clinical measures to the number of days to return to sport following acute lateral ankle sprains.

Background: In order to direct rehabilitation, injury classification schemes should include self-reported and clinical measures that help prognosticate the number of days to return to sport (DAYS).

Methods and Measures: Twenty Division II college athletes (7 men, 13 women; mean age = 19.2 ± 1.1 years) were assessed following an acute lateral ankle sprain and upon return to sport. Athletes were assessed by 3 self-reported measures: global function question, Short Form–36 Physical Function scale (SF36PF), visual analog pain scale, and 4 clinical measures: ankle active range of motion (AROM), ankle dorsiflexion strength, ankle plantar flexion strength, ambulation status. Simple regression, multiple regression, and effect sizes (ES) were used to analyze these data.

Results: The simple regression revealed a statistically significant relationship between DAYS and the global function question (r2 = .22), the SF36PF (r2 = .28), and the patient’s ambulation status (r2 = .27). A multiple regression using these 3 variables in combination was also statistically significant (P = .015) and explained approximately one-third of the variance in DAYS, (r2 = .37). All dependent variables revealed large or moderate ES.

Conclusion: Self-reported functional measures in conjunction with the athlete’s ambulation status are important factors in predicting the number of days to return to sport following acute lateral ankle sprains. Further research using large sample sizes and other clinical and functional measures is necessary.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2002; 32(1):16–23.

Key Words: ankle sprains, injury classification, prognosis