The Analysis of two-months effects of muscle stretching. Immediately following injection of methyl prednisolon in the treatment of trigger points patients

Background and

Trigger points have been described as causing pain in clinical practice and are a common source of musculoskeletal pain. Trigger point injection can effectively inactivate the trigger points and provide symptomatic relief. Efficacy of injection in the treatment of trigger points depends strongly on the technique of trigger point injection. This study compares muscle stretching immediately after injection of methyl prednisolon vs. injection without stretching in the treatment of trigger points.

Patients with trigger point pain in the gluteal muscles were recruited using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria from Shiraz Medical School Clinic. Subjects under went two office visits and two phone follow-ups. All patients received injection of lidocaine and methyl prednisolon. In group A, injection was without stretching. In group B, stretching of muscle was done immediately after injection. Evaluation measure tools were 0-10 NRS, VAS and BPI.

In respect to VAS, there was a significant statistical difference between both groups one month following injection. In respect to NRS, there was a significant statistical difference between both groups 1 month and 2 months after injection. However, there was no significant statistical difference between both groups in all measurement aspect of BPI, except mood.

Muscle stretching immediately after injection was more effective up to two months, than without muscle stretching in the symptomatic treatment of gluteal trigger points.