Figure-of-Eight Taping Combined with Rehabilitation for Multidirectional Shoulder Instability in a School-Age Female Karate Athlete: A Case Report
Sohei Shimizu, Masashi Kawabata, Ryo Tazawa, Toshimi Okuyama, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Naonobu TakahiraIntroduction
Multidirectional shoulder instability (MDI) is characterized by symptomatic subluxation or dislocation in multiple directions and is difficult to treat. Conservative management primarily involves exercise therapy aimed at strengthening the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizing muscles. However, when the instability is severe, performing such exercises can be challenging. This case report describes the clinical course of a school-aged karate athlete with MDI in whom exercise therapy was effectively facilitated through figure-of-eight taping.
Case Description
A 12-year-old female karate athlete with no history of trauma presented with discomfort, pain, and a clicking sensation in the right shoulder. Clinical examination revealed predominantly inferior and anterior instabilities with subluxation occurring just below 90° of active shoulder flexion.
Intervention
Rehabilitation was conducted over a five-month period, from April to September 2025 and was divided into three phases. In Phase 1, exercises to promote scapular upward rotation and strengthen the rotator cuff were performed; however, the sensation of subluxation persisted at approximately 90° of flexion. Therefore, figure-of-eight taping was introduced in Phase 2. Immediately after taping, the active range of flexion improved from 95° to 140°, and sense of instability decreased. Accordingly, rehabilitation was continued while wearing the tape. In Phase 3, stable active flexion was achieved without taping, and exercises for the scapular and rotator cuff muscles were performed actively in the elevated position.
Outcome
After five months, active shoulder flexion improved from 85° to 180°, and abduction increased from 70° to 170°. The Rowe score improved from 10 to 80 of 100, and the Quick-DASH disability/symptom and sports module scores improved by 6.8 and 25 points, respectively, from the 1-month to 5-month assessment. The subject returned to daily and sports activities without difficulty.
Conclusion
In this school-aged karate athlete with MDI, figure-of-eight taping may have provided immediate support and served as a useful adjunct to facilitate exercise therapy.
Level of Evidence
5