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Kinesio tape for knee pain and swelling
How therapists tape the knee for support and swelling, including after knee replacement
Kinesio tape for knee pain is used by therapists in two main ways: strips around the kneecap to make the knee feel more supported during exercise, and light, fan-shaped strips to help swelling move away after an injury, knee surgery or a knee replacement. The tape stretches with you, so you can still bend and straighten the knee fully. It can make rehab exercises more comfortable for a few days at a time, but it does not fix the cause of the pain. Knee pain has many possible causes, so an exam comes first, and the tape is one part of a physical therapy plan.
Knee pain on stairs, swelling that will not settle after surgery, or a knee that feels like it might give way can all make exercise hard to face. At Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance, our therapists use kinesio taping during physical therapy at our Brooklyn and Staten Island offices to make that work more comfortable. The videos show tape for swelling after a knee replacement and tape around the kneecap.
When kinesio tape for knee pain may help
- Pain around the kneecap: often felt on stairs, squatting or after sitting; see knee pain on stairs and knee pain when bending
- Swelling after surgery or a knee replacement: alongside elevation, ice and exercise; see pain and swelling after knee surgery
- Mild sprains and a knee that feels unsteady: as a reminder to control the knee during exercise
- Arthritis flares: for short-term comfort while you strengthen; see knee arthritis treatment
Knee pain can come from the kneecap joint, cartilage or meniscus, ligaments, tendons, arthritis or even the hip or back, so tape is not a substitute for finding the cause. A physician examines the knee and orders X-rays, ultrasound or an MRI when the exam suggests they will change the plan; see knee pain causes.
Taping after a knee replacement
After a total knee replacement, swelling in the knee and thigh is normal for weeks and can make bending the knee harder. Some small studies suggest that kinesiology tape applied in a fan pattern may reduce swelling and pain in the first weeks after surgery, but results vary. It is used only with your surgeon’s approval and only on healed skin, never over the incision until it has closed. The main work is still exercise to regain bend and strength; see knee replacement recovery timeline and knee replacement range of motion.
How physical therapy uses the tape
Your therapist chooses the pattern for one goal, applies it, and checks whether exercise feels easier with it on. Treatment still centers on strengthening the thigh and hip muscles, restoring motion and balance, and a home exercise program; see physical therapy for knee pain. The tape usually stays on for three to five days. Take it off early if the skin itches, burns or blisters, and seek care right away for a hot, red, very swollen calf or knee.
More videos: taping the knee in therapy
More clips from our YouTube channel @precisioncaremedical showing kinesiology taping around the kneecap.
Related care at Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance
Kinesio tape for knee pain near you
Looking for knee taping or a physical therapist for knee pain near me? Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance offers kinesio taping as part of physical therapy at our Brooklyn office on Shell Rd, close to Gravesend, Brighton Beach and Homecrest, and at our Staten Island office on Richmond Rd, serving Dongan Hills, Grant City and Midland Beach.
If the cause of your knee pain is unclear, our pain physicians, Ashley Marcus, MD in Brooklyn, Jake Stephen, DO on Staten Island and Yuri Gordin, MD in Manhattan examine knees at all three offices, including the Precision Care Spine & Pain Center in Midtown Manhattan, a direct ride from Spanish Harlem and Washington Heights. Request an appointment or call the office closest to you.
Questions patients ask
Does kinesio tape help knee pain?
It can make the knee feel more supported and exercise more comfortable for a few days at a time. Research shows small, short-term benefits, so it is used with exercise, not instead of it.
Can kinesio tape reduce knee swelling?
Fan-shaped strips are used to help swelling move away from the knee, for example after surgery. Some small studies show less swelling, but results vary.
Can I use kinesio tape after a knee replacement?
Only with your surgeon’s approval and only on healed skin, never over an open incision. Your therapist can apply it during post-surgical rehab.
How long should kinesio tape stay on the knee?
Usually three to five days. Remove it sooner if the skin itches, burns or blisters.
Is kinesio tape the same as a knee brace?
No. Tape stretches and lets the knee move fully; a brace gives firmer support. Your clinician can advise which, if either, fits your problem.
Where can I get kinesio tape for knee pain near me?
Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance offers kinesio taping at two offices:
- Brooklyn2781 Shell Rd, Suite 101, Brooklyn, NY 11223(718) 648-1234 · Get directions
- Staten Island1630 Richmond Rd, Suite 101, Staten Island, NY 10304(718) 339-7100 · Get directions
Taping is part of physical therapy in Brooklyn and Staten Island only; our physicians examine knee pain at all three offices.
Educational only, not medical advice. These videos and this article explain common problems and treatments in general terms. They are not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for you. Results vary from person to person. See a qualified clinician about your own symptoms, and call 911 or go to an emergency room for an emergency.
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