McConnell Taping: What It Is and How It Helps

McConnell Taping: What It Is and How It Helps

McConnell Taping

Physical therapists use a wide variety of techniques to treat patients, based on a personalized plan created for the patient that deducts what treatment option would be most beneficial in healing and strengthen the patient. One technique that many physical therapists use is known as Patellar taping. Created by Jenny McConnell, it is also referred to as McConnell taping. McConnell, a physical therapist from Australia, developed the technique in response to the lack of effectiveness in terms of treatment when it comes to patients suffering from patellar tracking. This disorder occurs when the patella shifts out of groove during joint motion.

Symptoms of patellar tracking include:

  • Swelling of the knee
  • Pain while sitting, walking, running, squatting or kneeling
  • A grinding or popping feeling in the knee
  • Knee buckling

Treatment for patellar tracking includes medication, surgery or physical therapy. When physical therapy is chosen, Patellar taping is most often used. McConnell tape is applied for up to 18 hours. It is often applied before strengthening exercises. McConnell taping has shown to have many benefits in treating patients. It aids in:

  • Reducing pain
  • Fixing patellar alignment
  • Improving disability of the knee
  • Preventing total dislocation of the patella
  • Healing other knee injuries
  • Increasing the function of the quadriceps and their strength
  • Increasing knee flexion during gait
  • Improving muscle strength and timing

McConnell Taping has also been used to treat the hip, lower limb, shoulder, and spine.

Are you suffering from chronic knee pain, especially when walking? Is your knee swelling? It may be time to come into our office to discuss the possibility of using McConnell taping. Our physical therapists have the knowledge, skills, and experience to perform McConnell taping and heal your knee injury and get you back to full health and mobility. Call our Canandaigua office at 585-396-1400 to schedule an appointment today!