Knee Pain Kinesiology Taping

Knee Pain Kinesiology Taping

Patellar tendonitis, also known as “jumper’s knee,” is a condition that develops when the knee joint is overused. Those with it may experience pain, swelling, and tenderness around the lower part of their kneecap, which usually worsens with running, walking, jumping, or even straightening the leg.

It is generally seen as a sports-related injury, given that the unique stress on the tendon is common with jumping on hard surfaces. As such, you’re more likely to have the condition if you’re active in sports that are tough on the knees, like skiing or basketball. Although, it can also stem from a previous knee injury or a lack of muscle flexibility. 

Regardless of why you have the condition, though, the pain it causes can be excruciating. It can require special attention and care. Today, knee taping is a more widely used practice for athletes experiencing this type of pain. 

Here’s how to manage knee pain from patellar tendonitis to live more comfortably while staying active.

patellar tendonitis kt taping

Managing Patellar Tendonitis

Patellar tendonitis treatments range from milder approaches to full-blown surgeries. Experiencing this condition may also mean taking the time to rest, elevate the knee, and use ice to reduce any swelling. These methods are highly recommended after any strenuous activity. 

Stretching and strengthening exercises are also important, but progress with these is often slow, and you could damage the tendon more if you aren’t careful. Beyond those, NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, are also commonly used to combat jumper’s knee, but again, they usually aren’t enough by themselves to help the knee heal properly.

In contrast, patellar tendonitis surgery is a more permanent approach that some doctors may recommend if other avenues don’t work. The road to recovery with surgery, however, is long, with most taking three to four months to fully recover. If you have mild to moderate patellar tendonitis, that amount of time off your feet could seem unappealing.

For a particularly painful patellar tendon, KT Tape can be an excellent complement that you can combine with any of the above options for your swollen knee. Kinesiology tape is a fantastic way to help keep the patellar tendon in place as it heals, allowing you to return to your everyday life with reduced pain. KT tape is also fantastic for helping keep general knee pain at bay, allowing you to keep active even if you don’t have an official patellar tendonitis diagnosis.

Benefits of Taping for Patellar Tendonitis

Here are a few reasons why using tape to help manage your patellar tendonitis pain could be well worth it:

Relief for Other Parts of Your Body

The knees are responsible for a lot when your body’s in motion. If they are injured, other muscle groups, like your lower back or upper legs, will have to pick up the slack which can cause a chain reaction of stiffness and pain across multiple areas of your body. As such, patellar tendonitis taping can help alleviate knee pain while also working to soothe or reduce pain elsewhere.

Reduce Chances of Incurring Other Injuries

Patellar tendonitis is just one of the many problems you can have with your knee, and since the knee is such a curious combination of strong and fragile, it won’t take much to create more issues if you aren’t careful. Patellar tendonitis taping provides support and protection for the knee while you move, helping you avoid aggravating existing injuries or causing new ones.

Decrease Pain During Activity

Most people with patellar tendonitis fight it while exercising or training, but it’s essential to find ways to keep your pain to a minimum without sacrificing your range of motion. If you have pain in your patellar tendon, KT tape is more than effective. In fact, many athletes swear by it to reduce swelling while training.

Kinesio tape for patellar tendonitis

Types of Taping Techniques

Using kinesiology tape, sometimes called kinesio tape, for patellar tendonitis is an excellent choice, as it is very durable and flexible. The knee needs that kind of flexibility and breathability if you plan to be up and moving it around, so if you’re having trouble with your patellar tendon, KT tape is a prime pick to stay mobile.

You could also use athletic tape, which is slightly more rigid and offers less flexibility, but it provides the bonus of added support. Whichever patellar tendonitis taping method you pick is up to you and will ultimately come down to what you find the most comfortable and beneficial. 

How to Apply Kinesiology Tape for Plantar Fasciitis

With a better background on what tape to use and how it works in mind, here’s how you’ll want to apply kinesio tape for patellar tendonitis:

  1. STRIP ONE: Tear backing paper two inches from end to create starting anchor.
  2. STRIPS TWO & THREE: Tear backing paper two inches from end to create starting anchor.

ALL COLORS of KT Tape® are designed to perform equally

BEFORE YOU START:

  • APPLY BEFORE ACTIVITY Apply one hour before beginning activity
  • CLEAN SKIN Clean dirt, oils and lotions from area with rubbing alcohol
  • ACTIVATE ADHESIVE After application rub tape vigorously to activate adhesive

For full Plantar Fasciitis instruction guide, view PDF here.

You can shower or swim with your tape on, but you’ll want to apply it to completely dry, clean skin.

The Patellar Tendon, KT Tape, and Your Recovery

Applying kinesiology tape for patellar tendonitis can significantly improve the motion and comfort of those with the painful condition, and while it can’t cure patellar tendonitis by itself, it’s instrumental in reducing pain and swelling for many.

It’s important to note that jumper’s knee resembles other medical problems and conditions, so including other methods in recovery regimens is a vital step for most people with chronic pain conditions in the patellar tendon. KT tape may be one of many actions your doctor suggests, so discuss using KT tape with your healthcare provider to ensure you get the best possible treatment

*Not clinically proven for all injuries.

    Finished full-knee support taping

    This all results in an application that creates great stability for the entire knee complex.  For further questions and information, visit the KT Tape facebook page.


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