The Natural History of Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points: Comparison of Local and Remote Tissue Milieu in Normal Muscle, Latent and Active Myofascial Trigger Points Over Time

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH CLINICAL CENTER (CC) · Jul 25, 2002

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Preliminary data suggest that patients with active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) have a significantly different biochemical profile within the local milieu of the MTrPs compared to those without MTrPs or those with a latent (non-symptomatic) MTrP. An important question to answer is whether anatomical loci, remote from active or latent MTrPs have similar biochemical profiles to the MTrP itself. These remote sites should be evaluated to help distinguish whether MTrPs have local biochemical profiles or are associated with a more widespread phenomenon.

We will select three groups of subjec...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• * INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • A total of 24 adults are expected to be accrued (8 in each group; Normal, Latent and Active) ages 18-65, without pain and those with continuous idiopathic cervical pain of less than 3 months duration.
• EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • Fibroymaylgia.
• • Cervical radiculopathy.
• • Lumbro-sacral radiculopathy.
• • Atypical facial neuralgia.
• • History of trigger point injections in the upper trapezius muscle.
• • History of cervical spine or shoulder surgery.
• • History of previous trigger point injections in the medial gastrocnemius muscle.
• • History of below the knee or above the knee amputation.
• • History of total knee arthroplasty.
• • History of bleeding disorder.
• • Subjects on anticoagulation therapy.
• • If the subject has taken aspirin within 3 days of needling.
• • Tobacco smokers.
• • Other concurrent pain syndromes.
• • On any NSAID, COX2 inhibitor, TCA, narcotic, antiepilectic, muscle relaxant, ancetaminophen or other medication for the purpose of pain relief.
• • Subjects who have an inoordinate fear of needles.
• • HEENT infections.
• • Cancer.
• • Knee pain.
• • History of DVT.
• • History of Baker's Cyst.
• • History of Myopathy.
• • History of meniscal tear.
• • History of anterior cruciate ligament/posterior cruciate ligament/medial collateral ligament/lateral collateral ligament tear.
• • History of knee surgery.
• • History of Achilles pathology or rupture.