Study: Therapeutic Tape Helps Arthritic Knees

Wrapping arthritic knees with therapeutic tape reduces pain and improves knee function, and the benefits remain even when the tape comes off, according to a study reported in the July 19 issue of the British Medical Journal.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne Centre for Sports Medicine Research and Education in Australia studied the effects of therapeutic tape, a control tape and no tape in 87 patients aged 50 years and older with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Patients who had their knees wrapped with therapeutic tape reported the greatest reduction in pain and the benefits were maintained three weeks after treatment had stopped.

The researchers said knee tape may reduce pain by realigning the patella and taking the weight-bearing load off painful soft tissues. They also note that knee taping in addition to exercise and drug treatment for osteoarthritis is a simple and inexpensive self-management strategy.

Other sources: British Medical Journal 2003;327:135