PAIN MANAGEMENT

TRIGGER POINT INECTIONS

Trigger point injections are a treatment done for the management of pain caused by trigger points. Trigger points are hyperirritable spots located in a taut band of muscle, which causes chronic local and regional pain. Trigger points are knots of muscle that form when muscles do not relax and are commonly found in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and pelvic girdle. Trigger points are often accompanied by chronic musculoskeletal symptoms such as myofascial pain, neck pain and low back pain.

Trigger point injections can be used to relieve the tension and pain caused by trigger points both locally and regionally, in many muscle groups.

Trigger point injections may be suggested for the following muscle-related conditions:

• Fibromyalgia


• Back pain


• Neck pain


• Shoulder pain


• Hip pain

HOW ARE TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS ADMINISTERED?

Trigger point injections are done on an outpatient basis in Dr. Kolloori's rooms. You will be asked to lie face down on the examining table for the duration of the procedure. A small needle is inserted into the trigger point so that local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory medications such as steroids or cortisone can be injected directly into the trigger point, making it inactive.

You may notice instant pain relief after the injection; however, this is due to the local anaesthetic that was injected. The corticosteroids injected will take effect within the next few days and remain in the tissue providing pain relief for up to a month.