Definition
Osteoarthritis is a progressive, age-dependent erosion of the joint cartilage caused by an imbalance in the load capacity of the joint and the actual load. Primary osteoarthritis develops without a recognizable cause. Secondary osteoarthritis is the result of e.g. malposition,accidents with lasting joint damage, or infections.In advanced stages, changes occur in the region of the bones near the joint, the synovial membrane, joint capsule,and the muscles spanning the joint, so that the clinical picture of osteoarthritis is no longer confined to cartilage erosion.
Aim: A combination of functional correction with a fascia application and a ligament technique brings about stabilization of the knee and retropatellar pressure reduction.
Application Part 1: The tape length for the functional correction using a fascia application is measured from a hand breadth above the patella to the tibial tuberosity. The tape is cut in such a way that the base is a hand breadth long. The backing paper is pulled back at the end of the base up to the Y-tape tail. At first, only a narrow strip of the base, approximately a finger breadth,is affixed over the upper margin of the patella. Only then is the remainder of the base affixed. Using both hands, the two tail tapes are affixed around the patella up to its apex, while the patient pulls up his/her knee to its maximum bending capacity. The tape ends lie one over the other on the tibial tuberosity. Both tape ends are affixed without tension.
Part 2: The tape for the ligament application is measured between the insertions of the collateral ligaments:for the medial collateral ligament from the medial condyle of the femur to the pes anserinus and for the lateral collateral ligament from the lateral condyle of the femur to the head of the fibula. The tape is affixed in the neutral position. The tapes are each affixed en bloc with maximum tension. The tape ends are affixed without tension with maximum knee flexion.