Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Growth Development Disorders in Pediatrics

Most Down syndrome children develop genu recurvatum due to hypotonia of quadriceps and hamstring with lack of co-contraction of both muscles and laxity of the ligaments around knee that support the joint. Aim: Investigate the effect of kinesio taping of quadriceps and hamstring muscles on controlling genu recurvatum in Down syndrome children. Subjects: Thirty Down syndrome children with chronological age ranged from 2 to 4 years participated in this study; they were classified randomly into 2 groups of equal number. Study group received a specially designed physical therapy program while applying kinesio taping and control group received specially designed physical therapy program only. Methods: They were evaluated using AUTOCAD analysis, screen protractor and gross motor functional measurement scale before and after 6 weeks of treatment programs. The results: The mean difference between pre and post treatment for study group was 5.93 degrees and the percent of improvement was 3.18%. There was a significant decrease in the mean values of knee extension angle measured by AUTO-CAD program post treatment compared with pre treatment (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: The kinesio taping was helpful in controlling genu recurvatum in Down syndrome children

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