Tag: Knee Injuries

Articles that are related to Knee Injuries

How to Strap for Patella Dislocation and Instability

Patella Dislocation - Daryn CresswellPatella Dislocation is a knee injury that can regularly occur in sports that involve twisting motions of the knee, and where the patella (knee cap) is dislodged laterally out of the patellofemoral groove at the front of the knee.

Its is an injury that is most common in younger athletes, between 16-20 years old, but can also occur randomly by impact in contact sports.

Perhaps the most watched patella dislocation injury in the AFL history, was when Sydney Swan footballer, Daryn Cresswell, dislocated his kneecap and was trying desperately to knock it back into place.

Patella Instability Pain

Patella Instability is also a condition that is not as common as some of the injuries that we have covered so far, but can either cause excruciating pain if dislodged, or restricting athlete discomfort if the patella is not tracking properly in the patellofemoral groove.

In this article of the SportStrap “How to Strap” series, I’d like to take a closer look at the injury itself, and how to strap for patella dislocation and instability.

How is the Patella Injured

There are varing degrees of Patella injuries from Patella Subluxation through to Patella Dislocation.

Patella Injuries

Patella Sublaxation is where the an unstable patella, or knee cap, does not track centrally in the groove at the end of the thigh bone as the knee bend, causing discomfort to the sides of the knee. This can be common in younger athletes, and can be hereditary.

Patella Dislocation is where the knee cap is dislodged for the groove, and it normally occurs in two ways:

  1. A direct impact to the front of the knee, knocking the patella laterally out of place.
  2. Quadriceps tendons & ligaments attached to the patella act awkwardly during twisting motions of the knee, forcing the patella out of place.

Below is a video showing a great technique for strapping Patella Instability using Sports Tape, by highly experienced Sports Trainer, Cam Wray. Enjoy!

Best Patella Strapping Technique

What items do you need to Strap for Patella Instability?

To strap a patella properly, you are going to need the following items:

Preparation to Tape a Patella

For the best results when patella strapping, it is recommended to prepare the knee by doing the following:

  • Shave off any hair around the area being taped (Hairy guys only).
  • Ensure the hand is clean from dirt or oil.
  • It is recommended to use Pre-Tape Spray for better adhesion

What is the Right Tape Tension.

When taping this method it is important not to tape the anchors to tight, as it will restrict the players movement, cause discomfort and possibly restrict blood flow.

When taping the McConnell technique its important to apply good tension pulling the knee-cap back toward the inner side of the leg

Here’s What You Need To Do Next…

First…

While this method is quiet simple, make sure you practice it once or twice in the next week, while its fresh in your mind.

Then…

I want you to leave me a comment on this page, and let me know how you plan on using what you learned from this edition of SportStrap “How To Strap” series.

And finally…

Let me know what you think of the SportStrap “How To Strap” series. This is the sixth episode, and I’d love to hear how much you’ve enjoyed it, and even what you’d like me to cover next. Remember subscribe to this newsletter below if you haven’t already.

For links to Previous episodes, here you go:

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Have a most outstanding day,

Cade Arnel

SportStrap.com.au

How to Strap a Knee

How To Strap A Knee

Shaun Burgoyne Strapped KneeIn this weeks edition of the SportStrap “How to Strap” series, we are going to take a closer look at how to strap a knee.

The knee can take a lot of punishment during activity playing sport, and in particular contact sports. So a proper taping technique is important for both knee injury prevention and sport injury management in sports people and athletes.

One of the most common knee ligament injuries is the medial collateral ligament injury, where the inside ligaments of the knee can be strained or damaged.

Learn How to Strap a Knee from an Expert

I would like to share with you another video that shows a great technique for supporting the knee using Sports Tape, courtesy of highly experienced Sports Trainer, Cam Wray.

Cam has worked with many first class rugby teams such as England, South Africa, Australian Universities, the Australian Barbarians, Canada 7’s, Argentina 7’s and the Qld Reds rugby teams. Enjoy!

Best Knee Strapping Technique

As you can see from the video, Cam’s method is both simple and gives great support to the medial ligament.

How To Tape A Knee

  1. In this technique the knee is slightly bent at 10°, anchors are applied above and below the knee.
    How To Strap a Knee 1
  2. Apply 3 series of basket-weave strips on the inside of the knee, criss-crossing the inside of the knee to give the medial ligament support and protection. Ensure the strips overlap by approx 50%.
    How to Strap a Knee 5
  3. Apply 2 medial crossover strips from the top anchor on from the inside of the knee, around the back to bottom anchor on the outside of the knee. Ensure the strips overlap the previous strip by about 50%.
    How to Strap a Knee
  4. Wrap with Elastic Adhesive Bandage, start at the top anchor and wrap around once and then diagonally down to the bottom anchor on the inside of the knee.
    How To Strap a Knee 8
  5. Continue to wrap the knee with EAB around the bottom anchor.
    How to Strap A Knee 9
  6. Continue wrapping around the bottom anchor then diagonally back up to the top anchor on the inside of the knee. Finishing on the outside of the knee at the top.
    How to Strap a Knee 10
  7. Remember to rub down the the tape to assist with adhesion.

 

As well as using the correct knee taping technique, its also important to use quality supplies for the job, so lets have a look at what is needed.

 

What items do you need to Strap a Knee?

To strap a knee properly, you are going to need the following items:

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Optional items you may wish to use:

Preparation to Tape an Knee

For optimum results when taping the knee, it is recommended to prepare the knee by doing the following:

  • Shave off any hair around the area on the knee being taped.
  • Cover any wounds with Non-Stick Wound pads.

Correct Tape Tension

Knee Anatomy

Its also important for the athletes comfort and performance, that the knee is not taped to tight, in particular the anchors above and below the knee, as it will prevent the blood flow around the knee and restrict movement.

To strap a knee to the correct tension, two good tests to do is the pinch test (as mentioned last week), & also knee squats. If the anchors don’t restrict your movement or flexing of your calf and hamstring to much, then the taping tension is right.

More “How to Strap” Articles?

This article is the second of many of SportStrap’s “How To Strap” series. Other articles in the “How to” series can be found below:

If you found this article helpful please complete the following:

    • Subscribe to our Newsletter below to receive more “How To” articles as released.
    • Leave a comment below, to let me know:
      • Your experience with strapping a knee,
      • Or any questions you have about strapping knees!
    • Add your “Like” to the SportStrap fan page
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Have a most outstanding day,

Cade Arnel

SportStrap.com.au