Comparison of McConnell patellar taping versus mobilisation with movement in chronic knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial

Knee osteoarthritis is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting older people and is associated most commonly with symptoms of pain, inflammation, instability, decreased range of motion (ROM) as well as compromise in quality of life.

To evaluate the effectiveness and compare the McConnell Patellar taping and Mulligan's Mobilisation with Movement in chronic knee osteoarthritis.

60 subjects both male and female, referred to the physiotherapy department from April 2008 to December 2008 were recruited and randomly allocated into three groups, 20 each, after signing a written informed consent. All Groups, group A (McConnell Patellar taping and conventional treatment), group B (Mulligan's Mobilisation with movement and conventional treatment) and group C (McConnell Patellar taping, Mulligan's Mobilisation with movement and conventional treatment) were received the selected treatment for a period of two weeks. Conventional treatment included short wave diathermy and supervised exercises. Outcome parameters were pain on visual analogue Scale, knee flexion range of motion and disability index (by Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index)

In present study combination of McConnell patellar taping and Mulligan's Mobilisation with Movement showed superior results (p<0.0001)

Combination regimen of McConnell patellar taping and Mulligan's Mobilisation with Movement is simple, inexpensive strategy in the conservative management of knee OA and can be used as an adjunct to drug and conventional therapies.