The Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Kinesiotaping on Lower Extremity Edema

"1. Lymphatic correction method was used via the KinesioTaping® to patients group.~2. Standardized 30-minute Manuel Lymphatic Drainage treatment was applied to the MLD group.~3. Control group received only physiotherapy treatment."

Depending on the size of the leg two or three fan cut tapes were applied with light paper-off tension on the frontal, medial and lateral aspects of the limb. Kinesio taping was applied by certified Kinesio Tape practitioner once a week to Kinesiotaping group.

Knee-based exercises were undertaken in supine (active- assisted knee flexion using a bandage, inner range quadriceps contractions, and straight-leg raises), seated (active-assisted knee flexion using the contralateral limb and inner range quadriceps contractions), and standing (hip and knee flexion, active hamstring curls, lunges on a step, hamstring stretches) postures. These exercises were undertaken in sets of 10 repetitions, 3 times daily; the physiotherapist was present to assist, as required, on 2 occasions per day for the first 3 postoperative days and then once daily from day 4 until hospital discharge.