The use of kinesio taping as a complementary therapy to conventional techniques in the rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis following total knee arthroplasty

• Main Authors: Agnieszka Prusinowska, Piotr Turski, Tomasz Cichocki, Katarzyna Kowalik, Katarzyna Woszuk, Paweł Małdyk, Krystyna Księżopolska-Orłowska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Termedia Publishing House 2014-07-01
• Series: Rheumatology
• Subjects: rehabilitation; knee prosthesis; oedema; kinesio taping
• Online Access: http://www.termedia.pl/The-use-of-kinesio-taping-as-a-complementary-therapy-to-conventional-techniques-in-the-rehabilitation-of-patients-with-rheumatoid-arthritis-following-total-knee-arthroplasty,18,23173,1,1.html
• ISSN: 0034-6233; 2084-9834

In line with the expectations of early and repaid rehabilitation – to achieve good rehabilitation results in the shortest possible time – good postoperative therapy programmes include various treatment methods to allow patients to quickly return to normal activities of daily living. Kinesiology taping is a supportive rehabilitative method, widely adopted by physical therapists, which demonstrates a number of therapeutic effects and is well tolerated by patients. This article contains detailed descriptions of the applications of kinesiology tapes in orthopaedic rheumatology in patients after total knee replacement surgery. The use of kinesio tapes has significantly contributed to the improved ability of patients with advanced destructive changes in other joints to perform activities of daily living. The descriptions were classified based on the required action and the time after which kinesio tapes may be used following surgery. The text describes how kinesio tapes can be used to reduce oedema and correct dysfunctional joint mechanics and surgical scars aiming to support the rehabilitation process from the first 24 hours after surgery.