Health Update: Sticky tape helps arthritis sufferers

STICKY tape worn on the knee can relieve the pain of osteoarthritis and could reduce drug consumption among thousands of sufferers, according to researchers at Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Using tape to pull the distorted kneecap back into the correct position reduced pain by 25 per cent. The tape can be worn for several days at a time and also in the bath. Sufferers may be able to apply it themselves, avoiding trips to hospital or surgery, says a report in Mimms.