Introduction: As the number of people who are professionally or recreationally involved in sports increases, so does the number of ligament injuries. One of the most commonly injured ligaments is the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee joint. Due to the low healing capacity, especially in younger, active individuals, surgical reconstruction is indicated. Pain, swelling, reduced muscle strength and reduced range of motion are often present after surgery. For successful treatment, especially in the early phase after reconstruction, additional physiotherapeutic methods are required. Depending on the proposed mechanisms and effects of action, kinesio tape could be applied as an adjunct to standard therapeutic treatment. Purpose: The purpose of diploma work was to determine the effect of kinesiotaping on pain, swelling and range of motion of the knee joint as an adjunct to standard physiotherapy treatment in early rehabilitation phase in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Methods: We used the descriptive method of work to produce the thesis. Researches were searched in PubMed, Sage Journals, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect databases. Key words and phrases and their combinations were used: (»kinesiotaping« OR »kinesio tape« OR »kinesiology tape«) AND (»anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction« OR »ACL reconstruction«). Inclusion criteria were English language, randomized controlled trial, research with control and experimental group, patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, placement of kinesio tape in addition to standard physiotherapy treatment and assessment of pain and/or swelling and/or range of motion in the knee joint. Results: In the literature review we included five studies, published between 2016 and 2022. Four were randomized controlled trials and one was article from congress. In all studies, statistically significant values between two groups were recorded, favoring experimental groups in the reduction of pain, swelling and increased range of motion of the knee joint. Discussion and conclusion: Research findings suggest positive effects of kinesio tape in combination with standard management in the early phase after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on pain, swelling and range of motion, however, there remains a need for additional, higher quality and mutually comparable research.
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