Knee TapingAcute Care Lab

Krzyzanowicz-Spring ‘10

Femur◦ Main upper leg bone (thigh bone)

Tibia◦ Main weight lower leg bone

Medial malleolus comes off of this Mensici sit on the tibia

Fibula◦ Non-weight bearing bone on the lateral aspect of

the leg Lateral malleolus comes off of this

Anatomy

Anatomy

Joint capsule ◦ Protects the ligaments inside

Peanut shell protecting the peanut inside Can sprain/injure the capsule

Cruciate Ligaments ◦ Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

Limits anterior movement of the tibia as well as rotation

◦ Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) Limits posterior movement of the tibia as well as

rotation◦ Both inside the joint capsule

Ligaments

Cruciate Ligaments

ACL injury PCL injury

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)◦ On the medial aspect of the knee

Prevents valgus force of the knee Most often sprained ligament

Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)◦ On the lateral aspect of the knee

Prevents varus force of the knee More difficult to sprain than MCL

Meniscus◦ Help provide cushion for the joint◦ Fairly common to injure

Collateral Ligaments/Menisci

Collateral Ligaments/Menisci

Collateral ligaments Meniscus

Standing, knee in about 30 degrees of flexion◦ Two anchors about mid-thigh◦ Two anchors about mid-calf◦ Create a fan (elastic tape)

Places one strip down center of joint Places one strip from anterior leg, crossing joint Places one strip from posterior leg, crossing joint

All pulling distal to proximal Anchor after every strip May need to repeat elastic tape strips, if not tight

enough

Collateral Ligament Taping

Collateral Ligament Taping

Collateral Ligament Taping

Standing-knee flexed to about 30 degrees◦ Two anchor strips mid-thigh◦ Two anchor strips mid-calf

Heel-lace pad in the popliteal fossa (prevents irritation)

◦ Elastic strip down the middle of the knee◦ Elastic strip from lateral knee crossing the joint◦ Elastic strip from medial knee crossing the joint

Anchor strips after each piece of tape Pull distal to proximal May need to repeat elastic strips to prevent

hyperextension

Knee Hyperextension

Knee Hyperextension

Knee Hyperextension

McConnell Tape Used to prevent excessive movement of the

patella◦ Very expensive tape◦ First must determine which way the patella is

moving Chose the correct taping method to correct the

problem

Place cover roll over the patella◦ Places a piece of leukotape over mid-patella and

pulls medially-to the femoral condyle◦ Places leukotape over lateral border of patella and

pulls medially to medial femoral condyle◦ Corrects any rotations that may be occurring

Place leukotape over mid-patella and pull to opposite shoulder of the rotation May not need to do this steps

Repeats any steps above if needed

McConnell Tape

McConnell Tape