Taping the knee of a patient with patellofemoral pain can significantly reduce pain during activities like running, walking on stairs, and squatting.1
Taping interventions for patellofemoral pain published in the literature vary in terms of application (e.g. tailored, untailored). The important distinction related to tailoring is that lateral patellar tilt, glide, and rotation are targeted until a minimum 50% pain reduction during a functional task (e.g. step down) is achieved. Untailored taping tends to involve just one strip of tape that targets lateral glide of the patella. The most effective way to tape can be different for each patient, and research shows that tailoring it to patients’ needs may optimize how much pain reduction they get.1
Based on the best evidence available, the following taping technique may be worth trying: