Effect of Dry Needling and Kinesio Taping On Pain Strength and Balance of Quadriceps Muscle in Knee Osteoarthritis. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Knee osteoarthritis is also associated with a 50%-60% reduction in maximum quadriceps torque, possibly resulting from disuse atrophy and atherogenic inhibition.

Kinesio taping is a term that comes from the field of kinesiology, because the application of the tape allows the body to move normally, and reacts to fascia via biomechanical or proprioceptive mechanisms. Kinesio tape is an elastic therapeutic tape that finds its application as an adjunct to professional activities in healthcare, rehabilitation, prevention, and sports. In circulatory pathologies, Kinesio tape has the function to promote the drainage of excess fluid, activating a lymphatic drainage response. Kinesio tape promotes better blood circulation and lymph flow in the treated area, and this principle can be used to drain the swelling in trauma and bruises to speed up the process of redistribution of the hematoma. Kinesio tape application decreases the surplus heat via friction reduction resulting in lifting the skin. It also has a good stabilizing effect. Kinesio tape was also used for treating sports and orthopedic injuries, and a variety of musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritis. For example, the research of Murray H. has shown an increase in the electromyographic quadriceps muscular activity with Kinesio tape application, applied by patients after ACL repair in the postoperative phase.

Dry is a specific technique for the treatment of functional disorders of the skeleton muscles, fascia, and connective tissue. It can also be used to reduce pain, restore function and reduce structural defects in muscles and joints, the dry needling treatment approaches are based on three models (including models of radiculopathy, spinal sensitization, and myofascial trigger point model). The dry needling technique can be divided into superficial and deep techniques.

Conservative treatment is advocated in patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. Because muscles weakness is associated with pain and physical dysfunction and influences the progression of disease in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Muscle strengthening is a key component in knee osteoarthritis Therefore, local strengthening exercise is prescribed more frequently than general exercise. A growing body of evidence shows that exercise improves knee joint function and decreases symptoms.