The immediate effect of patellar tendon strap on weight-bearing asymmetry during squatting in patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis has commonly been associated with a symptom of pain resulting in an inter-limb weight-bearing asymmetry during functional tasks. Patellar tendon strap is one of the non-pharmacologic interventions to alleviate knee pain.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the immediate effect of a patellar tendon strap on weight-bearing asymmetry during squatting in people with unilateral knee osteoarthritis.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

METHODS: Ten patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis and 10 healthy subjects were included in the study. Weight-bearing asymmetry of patients was assessed using a weight-bearing squat test during squatting at 30° and 60° both with and without patellar tendon strap. Pain intensity was assessed during squatting in unstrapped and strapped conditions with Visual Analog Scale.

RESULTS: The decrease in weight-bearing asymmetry values immediately after wearing patellar tendon strap during 30° (p = 0.006) and 60° (p = 0.011) of squatting tests was significantly higher in knee osteoarthritis patients than in healthy subjects. Reported pain intensity was similar in unstrapped and strapped conditions (p = 0.066).

CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed improved inter-limb weight-bearing symmetry during squatting. Further research with larger sample sizes investigating the effect of patellar tendon strap on weight-bearing asymmetry during functional activities in people with knee osteoarthritis is warranted.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patellar tendon straps (easily fit and cheap unlike knee braces) had more improvements in inter-limb weight-bearing symmetry during squatting in people with knee osteoarthritis compared to healthy subjects. This study is a new insight for future studies to investigate clinical benefits of wearing patellar tendon straps in this population.