• Pes anserine bursitis arises due to
undue stress being placed on the area
at which the tendons of gracilis,
sartorius, and semitendinosus
muscles attach to the tibia
• Trauma, sudden changes in training,
improper training, ‘cutting’ training
and running up hills can contribute to
the condition
• After initial management to reduce
symptoms, the three primary muscles
are tested for length and strength
before appropriate taping, soft tissue
work, or other modality is provided
• Once symptoms are reduced to a
manageable level, the next step is to
assess what is causing the
dysfunction in the first place.
Case study
The client is complaining of medial knee pain
and swelling is noticed under the knee joint line
on the inner leg, which is also tender to touch.
Strength testing of the hamstrings
reproduces the most pain (and also
identifies the muscle to be weak) but
length testing indicates that it is also tight.
Management can start with taping to
manage the swelling using lymphatic taping
and additional Kinesio taping to lengthen the
semitendinosus. This can be complemented
with soft tissue work to allow for the sliding of
adjacent muscles above the knee. Strength
work is not necessary at this point, as the
weakness identified by the testing is likely
to be secondary to the length deficit and
symptoms. It is also unnecessary to deep
tissue massage an irritable bursa.
Training can start to involve fascial
stretching techniques and load may need
to be modified to reduce cutting (sideways
motion exercises), hills and other activities
that load the hamstrings excessively.
7
Photo from Authentic Kinesio Taping KT3 Course – Additional Workbook by Thuy Bridges
The 30-second article
Example of Kinesio Taping applications for gracilis,
sartorius and semitendinosus muscles. Also showing
a knee lift application and lymphatic tape underneath.
At subsequent sessions, the question
of why the hamstrings may be overloaded
should be considered, and the gluteus
maximus and calf muscles, which are
involved as a functional chain with the
hamstring, should be assessed.
Additionally, the antagonist quadriceps
can be assessed. If the quadriceps are
dysfunctional, the hamstrings may be
working against this tension. If dysfunction
is discovered then it is appropriate to target
these muscles in training.
Kinesio strength taping is applied to the
hamstrings once the length of the muscle
has been restored and if the muscle is still
found to be weak when tested. At this point,
with the muscle supported by the tape, it is
appropriate to commence a program based on
strengthening with load. Ultimately, the client is
transitioned back to normal training loads.
Thuy (Twee) Bridges is the Director of PhysioWISE
physiotherapy and Pilates clinics in Sydney. A
certified Kinesio Taping Instructor and an Anatomy
Trains Associate Teacher, she incorporates her
thorough understanding of the theoretical models
of the human body into practical, effective
treatments. physiowise.com.au
INSPIRING GREATNESS
10 TO 12 APRIL 2015
MELBOURNE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE
Join Thuy when she shares her physio insights at FILEX
• Happy feet – How to manage plantar fasciitis (B1S)
• Pelvic girdle pain – pre and post partum management made simple (B4S)
Head to filex.com.au to check out the session details, full program info and to
register for the best weekend on the fitness industry calendar!
NETWORK AUTUMN 2015 | 25