Lateral Patellar Compression Syndrome (LPCS) is a significant clinical entity within the spectrum of patellofemoral disorders, particularly among young athletes. It involves excessive lateral pressure exerted by the patella against the lateral femoral condyle, resulting in anterior knee pain, discomfort during physical activities, and a decline in athletic performance. ^[1] The condition is primarily due to tightness of the lateral retinaculum and soft tissue imbalance, which alters patellar tracking, leading to pain, cartilage wear, and mechanical dysfunction. ^[2]

McConnell taping, developed by Australian physiotherapist Jenny McConnell, is a patellar taping technique designed to realign the patella medially, thereby reducing pressure on the lateral femoral condyle and alleviating pain. ^[3-7] This technique involves applying a rigid tape to the patella in a specific direction, correcting its malalignment during movement. The tape provides mechanical correction and enhances proprioceptive feedback, leading to better muscle activation patterns. ^[8] The potential of McConnell taping to offer immediate symptomatic relief and facilitate better engagement with rehabilitation protocols makes it a promising adjunctive therapy in LPCS management. ^[9]

Multiple studies have explored the effects of taping in patellofemoral disorders; however, there remains limited conclusive evidence directly comparing McConnell taping with exercise alone in a specific cohort like young athletes. Young athletes represent a unique population with high physical demands, and their response to rehabilitative strategies may differ from the general population due to enhanced neuromuscular responsiveness and physical conditioning. ^[10] Understanding whether adding McConnell taping offers a significant advantage over exercise alone could impact clinical decisions, particularly in sports medicine and rehabilitation settings. ^[11]

Recent literature suggests that combining taping with exercise may expedite recovery and enhance short-term function, but results have been inconsistent. ^[12] Some studies report marked improvement in pain and patellar alignment with McConnell taping, while others find minimal differences compared to standard physiotherapy. ^[13] Moreover, methodological variability and differences in outcome measures make comparisons difficult, reinforcing the need for well-designed comparative studies. ^[14]

The study will be conducted at the Department of Physiotherapy, Index Physiotherapy college, with data collected from outpatient and sports rehabilitation clinics over a period of 12 months (Jan 2022 – Dec 2024).

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 15–30 years
• Athletes engaged in regular sports activity
• Diagnosed with LPCS based on clinical and radiological findings
• Anterior knee pain for >3 weeks
• Willingness to participate and provide consent

Exclusion Criteria

• History of patellar dislocation or instability
• Previous knee surgery or trauma
• Rheumatologic or neuromuscular disorders
• Known allergy to adhesives or tape
• Participants on corticosteroid or analgesic therapy in the past month

Methodology

• Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups using computer-generated random numbers:
• Group A: McConnell taping + Exercise therapy
• Group B: Exercise therapy alone
• Exercise Protocol (6 weeks):
• Quadriceps strengthening (isometric and isotonic)
• Hamstring and iliotibial band stretching
• Patellar mobilization
• Neuromuscular training
• Sessions: 3/week under supervision
• Taping Protocol (for Group A):
• Rigid tape applied medially to reposition the patella during sessions and during sports practice
• Taping reapplied every 3–4 days for 6 weeks
• Assessment Tools:
• VAS (Visual Analog Scale) – for pain
• Kujala Score – for knee function
• Patellar Tilt and Mobility – measured clinically
• Evaluation at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks

Statistical Analysis

Data will be analyzed using SPSS v25.0. Continuous variables will be expressed as Mean ± SD. Paired and unpaired t-tests will be used for intra- and inter-group comparisons. Categorical variables analyzed using chi-square test. A p-value <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Table 1: Baseline Demographic Characteristics

The baseline demographic variables were well matched; no statistically significant differences were found.

Table 2: VAS Score Progression

Pain reduction was significantly more pronounced in the McConnell taping group.

Table 3: Adverse Effects Observed

Minor skin irritation was noted only in the taping group; overall, both interventions were safe.

Table 4: Return to Sports Timeline

More athletes in the taping group returned to sport earlier, highlighting functional advantage.

Table 5: Correlation – Patellar Tilt vs. Kujala Score Improvement

Stronger inverse correlation in Group A suggests that patellar alignment correction is tightly associated with functional improvement.

Lateral Patellar Compression Syndrome (LPCS) is a common cause of anterior knee pain, particularly among young athletes engaged in high-impact sports involving frequent squatting, jumping, or rapid changes in direction. This study examined the comparative efficacy of McConnell taping combined with structured exercises versus exercises alone in the conservative management of LPCS. The results of this randomized controlled trial involving 260 participants (130 per group) demonstrated that the integration of McConnell taping with exercise therapy significantly enhanced pain relief, patellar alignment, and functional outcomes.

Biomechanical Rationale for McConnell Taping

The McConnell taping technique aims to realign the patella medially, thereby correcting abnormal lateral tracking, reducing pressure on the lateral patellar facet, and restoring optimal patellofemoral biomechanics. Previous research by McConnell et al. highlighted that mechanical taping reduces lateral glide and tilt, thereby decreasing symptoms associated with LPCS. In our study, the significant reduction in patellar tilt angle in Group A (from 17.6° to 11.1°) compared to Group B (17.4° to 14.5°) confirms that taping contributes directly to mechanical correction.

Functional Improvement and Pain Reduction

Pain, quantified by VAS, and function, measured using the Kujala score, were key outcomes. Group A showed a larger reduction in VAS (from 6.7 to 1.3) compared to Group B (6.6 to 3.1), along with superior improvements in Kujala scores (increase of ~30 points in Group A vs ~21 points in Group B). These findings corroborate studies by Crossley et al. and Cowan et al., who reported that taping, when combined with rehabilitation, significantly improved pain and function in patellofemoral disorders. The immediate pain relief due to altered patellar kinematics also promotes better participation in rehabilitation.

Importance of Multimodal Therapy

While exercise therapy remains the cornerstone of LPCS treatment, particularly strengthening of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), hip abductors, and core stabilizers, the adjunctive role of taping cannot be ignored. Herrington et al. demonstrated that McConnell taping enhanced quadriceps torque and reduced functional limitation. The present study supports a multimodal approach, where taping enhances joint alignment and proprioception, thus making subsequent exercises more effective.

Return to Sport and Compliance

An important clinical implication of this study is the accelerated return to sport observed in the taping group. Nearly 68 athletes from Group A resumed sports within 4 weeks compared to only 21 in Group B. This finding has substantial implications for athletic rehabilitation timelines. Moreover, taping was associated with high compliance, and only 10% of participants experienced mild, self-limiting skin irritation.

Comparison with Previous Studies

In alignment with Bily et al. (2008), who found enhanced clinical outcomes with combined taping and exercise protocols, our findings reinforce that mechanical correction coupled with neuromuscular training yields superior results. Similarly, D'hondt et al. (2020) in a systematic review affirmed that short-term pain relief is better achieved when McConnell taping is used in conjunction with physiotherapy.

Christou et al. noted increased VMO activity and altered timing with patellar taping, a phenomenon that likely contributes to improved patellar tracking and reduced anterior knee pain. Aminaka and Gribble also demonstrated that dynamic postural control improved with taping in young athletes.

Our study extends this literature by confirming these benefits in a larger population with robust statistical significance.

The present randomized controlled study provides strong evidence that McConnell taping, when used in conjunction with structured exercise therapy, significantly enhances clinical outcomes in young athletes suffering from Lateral Patellar Compression Syndrome (LPCS). Compared to exercise therapy alone, the addition of taping led to: Greater reduction in anterior knee pain (VAS scores). Significant improvement in patellar alignment (patellar tilt angle). These outcomes affirm the biomechanical and neuromuscular advantages offered by taping, particularly in the initial stages of rehabilitation. Furthermore, the intervention was safe, well-tolerated, and easy to implement in outpatient sports therapy settings.

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