Effect of Kinesiotape Application on Knee Joint on Gait Kinematics in High Heels

Abstract

Abstract: Today, millions of women wear high-heeled shoes daily, and although it has been suggested that the use of high-heeled (HH) shoes leads to an increased incidence of osteoarthritis, back pain, and deterioration of posture. The study aimed to investigate the kinetic and kinematic analysis in the lower extremities while walking on high-heeled shoes and compared kinesiotape application on knee joints with HH shoes. Methods: A three-dimensional quantitative gait evaluation was performed without tape and with wear HH shoes, with kinesio taping application on the knee. Twenty-four healthy females (age, 21.6 ± 0.7 years; height, 1.64 ± 4.2 cm; body mass, 57 ± 3.9 kg) participated in the study. Spatiotemporal parameters cadence and walking speed were significantly different among the trials. Results: Knee and hip joint sagittal plane range of motion were different with kinesin taping applications While knee joint total excursion (ROM) was 57,5±8.7 degrees with HH shoes, it was decreased to 54.05±5.8 tape application walking HH shoes. Knee external flexion moment during the early stance phase decreased significantly in kinesin taping with HH shoes. Conclusion: These findings showed that Kinesio taping application on quadriceps femoris muscles affected the stance phase of the gait cycle and reduced knee joint flexion degree and knee flexion moments while walking with HH shoes. Tape application may be an option to reduce the negative effect of wearing high-heeled shoes on the knee while walking, or to reduce knee pain, to provide support for knee deformities.