What is a trigger point? Trigger points are focal areas of spasm and inflammation in skeletal muscle. The rhomboid and trapezius back muscles, located in the upper back and shoulder areas, are a common site of trigger points. Along with the upper spine, trigger points can also occur in the low back or less commonly in the extremities. Often there is a palpable nodule in the muscle where the trigger point is located. The area is tender, and regularly when pushed, pain radiates from the trigger point itself to an area around the trigger point. Trigger points typically accompany chronic musculoskeletal disorders such as fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, neck pain and lower back painThey may also accompany tension headache and temporomandibular pain. trauma or recurring minor injury can lead to the development of trigger points.
During the procedure, the patient lies down on his/her belly. A local anesthetic is used to numb the skin and the tissue down to the sacroiliac joint. The doctor will use touch and a fluoroscope to find the sacroiliac joint and then, carefully advancing the needle to the joint, inject the medicine. The needle is then removed and a small bandage is applied. The patient will remain in the surgery center for at least 30 minutes for observation after the procedure. If there are no adverse reactions (allergic reaction or leg numbness/weakness), the doctor will release the patient to go home.
What You Can Expect During your appointment with the back specialist, you can anticipate to undergo a physical exam. The specialist will determine where your trigger points are and ask you about your symptoms. Then, the skin directly above the trigger point is marked and cleansed. The back specialist inserts the needle and watches for a twitching of the muscle. To make certain that the entire knot of muscle has been dealt with, the doctor will gently move the needle in and out of the knot in various directions.
What are the side effects or risks associated with a Trigger Point injection? Trigger Point injections are a low risk, non-surgical tool to combat lower back pain and sciatica associated with arthritis in the sacroiliac joint or sacroiliac joint disorder. As with any minimally invasive medical procedure, there are risks that you'll want to discuss with your physician prior to any type of treatment is provided. The potential side effects or risks are minor and occur infrequently:. Soreness and bruising where needle was injected. Potential infection at the injection point, the tissue or the sacroiliac joint. Pain relief immediately following the procedure but a few hours later the pain may return in addition to a little soreness at the injection point. (The pain relief typically begins the 3rd or 4th day after the procedure). An allergic reaction to the medicine.
What are complications and side effects of trigger point injections? A possible complication from the trigger point injection treatment is post-injection pain. This is relatively uncommon, but it can occur. This pain usually resolves by itself after a few days. It is more usual when no medication is injected into the trigger point (dry needling). Ice, heat, or over-the-counter medications including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium may be useful for post-injection pain. When a steroid medication is injected into the trigger point, shrinking of the body fat under the skin may occur, leaving a dent in the skin. This does not occur when just anesthetic is injected without having any steroid medication. Additional side effects are uncommon with trigger point injections but can occur anytime a needle pierces the skin, including infection and bleeding.
During the procedure, the patient lies down on his/her belly. A local anesthetic is used to numb the skin and the tissue down to the sacroiliac joint. The doctor will use touch and a fluoroscope to find the sacroiliac joint and then, carefully advancing the needle to the joint, inject the medicine. The needle is then removed and a small bandage is applied. The patient will remain in the surgery center for at least 30 minutes for observation after the procedure. If there are no adverse reactions (allergic reaction or leg numbness/weakness), the doctor will release the patient to go home.
What You Can Expect During your appointment with the back specialist, you can anticipate to undergo a physical exam. The specialist will determine where your trigger points are and ask you about your symptoms. Then, the skin directly above the trigger point is marked and cleansed. The back specialist inserts the needle and watches for a twitching of the muscle. To make certain that the entire knot of muscle has been dealt with, the doctor will gently move the needle in and out of the knot in various directions.
What are the side effects or risks associated with a Trigger Point injection? Trigger Point injections are a low risk, non-surgical tool to combat lower back pain and sciatica associated with arthritis in the sacroiliac joint or sacroiliac joint disorder. As with any minimally invasive medical procedure, there are risks that you'll want to discuss with your physician prior to any type of treatment is provided. The potential side effects or risks are minor and occur infrequently:. Soreness and bruising where needle was injected. Potential infection at the injection point, the tissue or the sacroiliac joint. Pain relief immediately following the procedure but a few hours later the pain may return in addition to a little soreness at the injection point. (The pain relief typically begins the 3rd or 4th day after the procedure). An allergic reaction to the medicine.
What are complications and side effects of trigger point injections? A possible complication from the trigger point injection treatment is post-injection pain. This is relatively uncommon, but it can occur. This pain usually resolves by itself after a few days. It is more usual when no medication is injected into the trigger point (dry needling). Ice, heat, or over-the-counter medications including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium may be useful for post-injection pain. When a steroid medication is injected into the trigger point, shrinking of the body fat under the skin may occur, leaving a dent in the skin. This does not occur when just anesthetic is injected without having any steroid medication. Additional side effects are uncommon with trigger point injections but can occur anytime a needle pierces the skin, including infection and bleeding.
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SpineOne specializes in treating spine-related injuries using minimally-invasive procedures, including back pain from a sports injury. Call us or visit our website to schedule an appointment. We accept most insurance and same-day appointments are available.