Introduction For those individuals who have suffered an injury to the knee or undergone a surgical intervention, the early recovery of the muscle strength contraction properties of the quadriceps is essential for a favorable recovery and for a return to the activities of daily living and other work- or sports-related activities. Objectives To evaluate the changes in maximal isometric strength (MIS) of the quadriceps muscle after the application of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (US-guided PNM) on the femoral nerve. Materials and Methods A case series involving subjects who had previously presented unilateral knee pathology and were in the stage of recovery of quadriceps strength. The subjects were pain-free at the time of the dynamometry measurements, which were performed before and after the application of the US-guided PNM technique. The isometric measurement was performed using the KINEO dynamometry system, performing a preintervention measurement of the mean maximal isometric strength (mMIS) based on 3 repetitions (3 seconds contraction and 6 seconds relaxation). The US-guided PNM technique was performed on the femoral nerve, using the Physio Invasiva CE0120 device (Prim Physio, Madrid, Spain) and a GE Logiq e R7 ultrasound (GE Healthcare, Chicago, IL, USA). Results In total, 13 subjects participated in the present study. Significant changes were obtained (p < 0.001) in the mMIS of the quadriceps of the affected knee, which progressed from a mean strength of 25.91 kg (standard deviation [SD]: 7.17 kg) to a mean strength of 29.98 kg (SD: 9.06 kg). Discussion In subjects with knee pathology, the quadriceps muscle is inhibited despite being pain-free during the strength measurements. This process of inhibition can improve with the application of low frequency percutaneous electrical stimulation on the femoral nerve. This technique represents a complementary strategy for the recovery of the normal strength values in pathological knees with or without prior surgery. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided PNM is an effective technique for the reestablishment of quadriceps strength in inhibited muscles.

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BACKGROUND: In 1973, Dr. Kenzo Kase developed Kinesio taping from the hypothesis that this external component could aid the functions of muscles and other tissues. There are different studies on this issue, but none has completely clarified the research question. OBJECTIVE: To study the application of Kinesio taping in the variation of isometric muscle strength of the hand extension and grip, isokinetic strength of the pronation and supination movements, and the time it takes to reach that strength in patients with lateral epicondylalgia. METHODS: An analytical, experimental, randomized study was carried out with 104 subjects with lateral epicondylalgia. The subjects were randomly distributed among two groups: one received Kinesio taping and the other a placebo material. A pre- and post-intervention measurement was performed. The post-measurement was carried out 24 hours later so as to completely eliminate the fatigue effect produced by the first day measurements, as well as to ensure that the intervention was effective, and not immediate. The measurements were made using a dynamometer. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the application of Kinesio taping and placebo material in subjects with lateral epicondylalgia regarding the variation of muscle strength in any of the study variables (p> 0.05 for all studied variables). CONCLUSIONS: Kinesio taping produces no change in strength after application and exerts an effect similar to that of a placebo.

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