Inefficacy of Kinesio-Taping(®) on early postoperative pain after ACL reconstruction: Prospective comparative study
M Laborie, S Klouche, S Herman, A Gerometta, N Lefevre, Y Bohu, M Laborie, S Klouche, S Herman, A Gerometta, N Lefevre, Y Bohu
Abstract
Introduction: Kinesio-Taping(®) (K-Tape) is used in sports traumatology with the aim of reducing pain and improving blood and lymph circulation. The main objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of K-Tape on early postoperative pain after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The study hypothesis was that K-Tape significantly decreases pain.
Method: A prospective non-randomized comparative study was conducted in 2013-2014 and included all patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction by hamstring graft. Analgesia was standardized. Two groups, "K-Tape" and "controls", were formed according to the days on which the study physiotherapist was present. The K-Tape compression/decompression assembly was applied immediately postoperatively and maintained for 3days. Patients filled out online questionnaires. The main assessment criterion was mean postoperative pain (D0-D3) on a 0-to-10 scale. Secondary criteria were analgesia intake on the three WHO levels, awakening during the night of D0 due to pain, signs of postoperative discomfort, and patient satisfaction.
Results: Sixty patients (30 per group) were included, 57 of whom could be assessed: 28 K-Tape, 29 controls; 44 male, 13 female; mean age, 30.9±8.9 years. At inclusion, the two groups were comparable. There was no significant difference in mean (D0-D3) knee pain intensity: 3.8±2.2 for K-Tape, and 3.9±2 for controls (P=0.93). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) found no significant intergroup difference in evolution of pain (P=0.34). There were no other significant differences on the other assessment criteria.
Conclusion: K-Tape showed no efficacy on early postoperative pain following ACL reconstruction.
Level of evidence: III; prospective non-randomized comparative study.
Keywords: ACL reconstruction; Hamstring; Kinesio-Taping(®); Postoperative pain.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Source: PubMed