Effectiveness of kinesiotaping for lymphatic drainage after bilateral total knee arthroplasty: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of kinesiotape for lymphatic drainage has been studied by comparing groups of patients with unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Studying its impact on persons with bilateral TKA may give a more accurate assessment of effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of kinesiotaping for lymphatic drainage in reducing postoperative edema and pain and improving the knee range of motion (ROM) of adults with bilateral TKA.

Methods: Using a randomized controlled trial, mixed-model design, 52 eligible adults began standard inpatient rehabilitation 3 to 13 days after bilateral TKA. Kinesiotape for lymphatic drainage was applied to 1 randomly selected leg of 52 consenting participants (mean age = 68.1 years, standard deviation = 7.6; 62% female). Leg circumferences, active and active-assistive knee ROM, and Numerical Pain Rating were measured bilaterally at baseline (before kinesiotaping) and on study days 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 with kinesiotape. A mixed-model analysis of variance examined interactions among within-subjects (day, leg taped) and between-subjects (time between surgery and kinesiotape application) factors.

Results: Interactions of day by taped leg by time group for knee active flexion (F = 4.32, P =.006, η2 =0.076) were attributed to higher baseline knee flexion of the taped leg for persons with 7 days or more between surgery and kinesiotaping (n = 25; mean knee flexion = 74.9°, standard deviation = 17.8) compared with the taped legs of the 6 days or less group (n = 27; mean knee flexion = 66.9°, standard deviation = 16.3). This interaction also reflects significant improvements from days 1 to 2 for the taped leg of the 6-day or less group (MeanDiffDay1-2 = 5.6°, standard error = 1.5, P =.008) and improvement of the untaped leg of the 7-day or more group (MeanDiffDay1-2 = 6.7°, standard error = 1.7, P =.005). No significant day-by-leg or day-by-leg-by-time group interactions occurred for circumferences, Numerical Pain Rating, and active knee extension and active-assistive knee flexion and extension.

Conclusions: Kinesiotaping for lymphatic drainage does not augment standard inpatient rehabilitation for edema control, ROM improvement, and pain remission after bilateral TKA.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05013879.

Keywords: edema; inpatients; kinesiotape; total knee arthroplasty; total knee replacement.

Figure 1.

Kinesio^® Tape for lymphatic drainage technique.

Figure 2.

Mean (Standard Error) of circumference measures (centimeters) by Day and Time Group. (A) 10 cm above the superior pole of Patella. (B) Middle of the knee joint. (C) 3 inches (7.6 cm) below the fibular head. (D) Figure-8 ankle and foot.

Figure 3.

Mean (Standard Error) of active and active-assistive knee flexion and extension range of motion (degrees) by Day and Time Group. (A) Active knee flexion. (B) Active-assistive knee flexion. (C) Active knee extension. (D) Active-assistive knee extension.

Figure 4.

Mean (Standard Error) of Numerical Pain Ratings (0–10) by Day and Time Group.