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Objectives and questions: Kinesiotaping (KT) is estimated to enhance blood circulation, alleviate pain via Gate Control Effect, and boost muscle strength by modifying fascial movements, potentially offering advantages to patients recovering from Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of KT within postoperative rehabilitation after TKR surgery by determining whether KT enhances early postoperative outcomes, in terms of reduction of swelling, pain relief and improvement in the function of the knee joint, compared to conventional rehabilitation without the use of KT.

Material and methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out at the SRH Health Center Bad Herrenalb enrolling 102 patients which underwent primary TKR. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups: 51 patients received KT, while the remaining 51 did not. The primary outcomes that were assessed pain level using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), knee joint circumference, and passive Range of Motion (PROM). Secondary outcomes included the Timed Up and Go Test, Chair Stand Test, and 10-Meter Walk Test. Statistical analysis was performed using G-Power, calculating a sample size of 102 (effect size 0.5, power 80%, alpha 5%, one-tailed t-test), with 102 patients included.

Results: After exclusion n=51 patients per group could be enrolled in the study. Patients treated with KT demonstrated significant reductions in swelling (2.12 ± 1.76 cm versus 0.96 ± 1.42 cm) and enhanced knee flexion (18.31 ± 7.71° versus 14.41 ± 10.02°) compared to the control group (p< 0.05). However, no significant differences were detected in the other assessed parameters.

Conclusion: In this study KT was beneficial as supplemented to rehabilitation following TKR.