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Dear all,
I have had a number of patients with patellar tendinopathy who have worn
patellar tendon straps as a ‘self help treatment’ whilst participating in a
variety of sports at all levels. Although these straps have been popularised by
tennis sensation and world number 1 Rafael Nadal and USA’s Bershawn Jackson
(400 metres); I have been unable to find anything of significance in the
literature to report an improvement in symptoms, performance (sport) and
lower limb function. Most of the evidence I did find however seemed to be
commercial and whilst the device looks small and appears to work by
compressing the patellar tendon, the words of Charles Dickens remind us to “…
take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's no better rule"
(Great Expectations)! Does anyone know of any scientific papers reporting the
objective evidence to support the use of the patellar tendon strap (i.e.
influence on the patellofemoral joint reaction force, quadriceps function,
improvement in foot placement during running?)
Thanks in advance,
Sarah
__________________________________________________ _____________
Sarah A. Curran PhD BSc (Hons)
Lecturer / Darlithydd
Wales Centre for Podiatric Studies / Canofan Astudiaethau Podiatrig Cymru
The School of Health Sciences / Ysgol Gwyddorau Lechyd Caerdydd
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff / Athrofa Prifysgol Cymru Caerydd
Western Avenue / Rhodfa'r Gorllewin
Cardiff / Caerdydd, CF5 2YB
United Kingdom
E-mail / Ebost: scurran@uwic.ac.uk
Phone / Ffôn: +44 (0) 29 2041 7221
Fax / Ffacs: +44 (0) 29 2041 7191
I have had a number of patients with patellar tendinopathy who have worn
patellar tendon straps as a ‘self help treatment’ whilst participating in a
variety of sports at all levels. Although these straps have been popularised by
tennis sensation and world number 1 Rafael Nadal and USA’s Bershawn Jackson
(400 metres); I have been unable to find anything of significance in the
literature to report an improvement in symptoms, performance (sport) and
lower limb function. Most of the evidence I did find however seemed to be
commercial and whilst the device looks small and appears to work by
compressing the patellar tendon, the words of Charles Dickens remind us to “…
take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's no better rule"
(Great Expectations)! Does anyone know of any scientific papers reporting the
objective evidence to support the use of the patellar tendon strap (i.e.
influence on the patellofemoral joint reaction force, quadriceps function,
improvement in foot placement during running?)
Thanks in advance,
Sarah
__________________________________________________ _____________
Sarah A. Curran PhD BSc (Hons)
Lecturer / Darlithydd
Wales Centre for Podiatric Studies / Canofan Astudiaethau Podiatrig Cymru
The School of Health Sciences / Ysgol Gwyddorau Lechyd Caerdydd
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff / Athrofa Prifysgol Cymru Caerydd
Western Avenue / Rhodfa'r Gorllewin
Cardiff / Caerdydd, CF5 2YB
United Kingdom
E-mail / Ebost: scurran@uwic.ac.uk
Phone / Ffôn: +44 (0) 29 2041 7221
Fax / Ffacs: +44 (0) 29 2041 7191