The benefit of taping and braces for patellofemoral injuries and other knee injuries in general have long since been debated by many doctors. In a case study of a patient with severe patellofemoral malalignment, patellar bracing improved patellar position at all angles of knee flexion. However, this patient had lateral sublaxation-while many other case studies did not. (This could have adversely effected the outcome of the experiment).*A case study of T. Worrel.
On the other hand, a case study of K.Bockrath, concluded that there was no change in patellar position during an isometric quadriceps contraction compared with a control position using a MerchantÕs view x-ray(at 45* of flexion).
Establishing a ÔstandardÕ patellar position has also been disputed. This is relevant to the case study because it effects the outcome of each experiment.
In a case study of Kannus and Nittymaki, they found 22 variables in 49 patients with patellofemoral pain, and concluded that age was the only variable that effected the outcome of the experiment.(ie: younger patients healed better and quicker than older patients).
Out of all of these case studies, the only conclusion that these doctors have agreed to is that bracing and taping only improved patellofemoral pain at the position of 10* flexion during a static MRI,(that is with ÔnormalÕ patellar alignment). However, they believe that patellofemoral pain is caused by many different variables,(not just patellar alignment), and that more study is needed to come to a concrete cause and long-term effects after surgery due to patellofemoral pain.