Comparison of the Effects of Kinesio Taping to Local Injection of Methyl Prednisolone in Treating Brachial Biceps Tendonitis

Objectives: This study compared the effect of Kinesio Taping (KT) with local Methyl Prednisolone injection in patients with biceps tendonitis based on visual analog scale (VAS) and range of motion (ROM). Methods: Thirty-eight patients (15 females and 23 males; mean age: 29.87 ± 6.31, years) with biceps tendonitis were participated in this study during 2014-2015. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups: 19 patients in KT group and 19 patients in injection group. In the first group, KT was used three times for 24 hours sequentially with four-day intervals; in the second group, one dose of Methyl Prednisolone (40 mg) plus 1% lidocaine was injected in the bicipital fissure around the long head of the biceps muscle. The injections and KT therapy were performed by the same physician. The patients were investigated for VAS and ROM in the first, second, seventh and twelfth days. Results: VAS and ROM indices were significantly improved in the second and seventh days (p < 0.05) in KT group compared to injection group while VAS and ROM had no significant difference in first and 12 days (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Regarding the more immediate effect of KT on ROM and VAS and the fast restoring of the patient to normal life, it could be used as a noninvasive alternative to injection and as the first line of treatment specially in patients who need the immediate effect of treatment.