Síndromes dolorosos musculotendinosos. revisión de literatura / Musculotendinous painful syndromes. Literature review

Introducción: los síndromes dolorosos musculotendinosos se presentan a nivel de hombro, codo, muñeca, cadera, rodilla, tobillo y pie. Manifiestan una clínica localizada y el tratamiento está compuesto por infiltraciones locales, iontoforesis y en ciertas ocasiones TENS y ultrasonidos. Objetivo: resumir las características de los síndromes dolorosos tendinosos. Desarrollo: los síndromes dolorosos musculotendinosos se manifiestan a escala de hombro, codo, muñeca, cadera, rodilla, tobillo y pie. Se identifican por presentar una clínica localizada y el tratamiento se compone de infiltraciones locales, iontoforesis y en algunos ejemplos TENS y ultrasonidos. Conclusiones: el síndrome de dolor miofascial se concibe como un cuadro de dolor regional manifestado habitualmente en cintura escapular y pélvica. Provoca unos puntos desencadenantes del dolor y contractura muscular. El tratamiento está compuesto por control del dolor, restablecimiento de la fuerza muscular y movilidad(AU)

Introduction: musculotendinous pain syndromes occur at the level of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle and foot. They manifest a localized clinic and the treatment is composed of local infiltrations, iontophoresis and, in some cases, TENS and ultrasound. Objective: to summarize the characteristics of the tendinous pain syndromes. Development: musculotendinous painful syndromes manifest at shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle and foot scales. They are identified by presenting a localized clinic and the treatment consists of local infiltrations, iontophoresis and, in some cases, TENS and ultrasound. Conclusions: the myofascial pain syndrome is conceived as a regional pain pattern usually manifested in the scapular and pelvic girdle. It provokes some trigger points of pain and muscular contracture. The treatment consists of pain control, restoring muscle strength and mobility(AU)

Can an NTI-tss device be effective as a first-line therapy in patients with TMD myofascial pain?

This study was conducted to evaluate whether integrating a nociceptive trigeminal inhibition-tension suppression system (NTI-tss) device with first-line therapy of myofascial pain, which includes guidance, assurance, counselling and behavioural changes, would be more effective in alleviating symptoms. This randomised controlled clinical trial included 40 patients who were clinically diagnosed with myofascial pain according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). Patients were randomly divided into two groups: the first group comprised patients who received guidance, assurance, counselling and behavioural changes; an NTI-tss device was integrated to this protocol in the second group. Both groups exhibited reduction in pain levels and improvement of jaw function compared with baseline values, but the difference was not significant. Both groups demonstrated improvements in 6 weeks; however, the integration of NTI-tss device into the therapy protocol did not provide any additional benefit in relieving symptoms of myofascial pain.

Design and evaluation of a wearable self-applied therapeutic ultrasound device for chronic myofascial pain.

Ultrasound therapy for pain and healing is a versatile treatment modality for musculoskeletal conditions that is used daily in rehabilitation clinics around the world. Our group designed and constructed a wearable, battery-operated, low-intensity therapeutic ultrasound (LITUS) device that patients could self-apply and operate during daily activity for up to 6 h. Thirty patients with chronic trapezius myofascial pain evaluated the LITUS system in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 10-d study under institutional review board approval. While continuing their prescribed medication regimen, patients with the active device reported on average 1.94× reduction in pain and 1.58× improvement in health relative to placebo devices after 1 h of treatment. Both of these results were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for the first 2 d of the study. Male patients reported the majority of benefit, and there is a sex-treatment confound in the sample. The study indicates that wearable, long-duration LITUS technology improves mobile access to drug-free pain relief.

Immediate changes in masticatory mechanosensitivity, mouth opening, and head posture after myofascial techniques in pain-free healthy participants: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the immediate effects on masticatory muscle mechanosensitivity, maximal vertical mouth opening (VMO), and head posture in pain-free healthy participants after intervention with myofascial treatment in the temporalis and masseter muscles. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind study was conducted. The sample group included 48 participants (n=48), with a mean age of 21±2.47 years (18-29). Two subgroups were defined: an intervention group (n=24), who underwent a fascial induction protocol in the masseter and temporalis muscles, and a control group (n=24), who underwent a sham (placebo) intervention. The pressure pain threshold in 2 locations in the masseter (M1, M2) and temporalis (T1, T2) muscles, maximal VMO, and head posture, by means of the craniovertebral angle, were all measured. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the intragroup comparison in the intervention group for the craniovertebral angle with the participant in seated (P<.001; F1,23=16.45, R2=0.41) and standing positions (P=.012, F1,23=7.49, R2=0.24) and for the pressure pain threshold in the masticatory muscles, except for M2 (P=.151; M1: P=.003; F1,23=11.34, R2=0.33; T1: P=.013, F1,23=7.25, R2=0.23; T2: P=.019, F1,23=6.41, R2=0.21). There were no intragroup differences for the VMO (P=.542). Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed in the intergroup analysis in any of the studied variables (P>.05). CONCLUSION: Myofascial induction techniques in the masseter and temporalis muscles show no significant differences in maximal VMO, in the mechanical sensitivity of the masticatory muscles, and in head posture in comparison with a placebo intervention in which the therapist's hands are placed in the temporomandibular joint region without exerting any therapeutic pressure.

Effectiveness of a heated lidocaine/tetracaine topical patch for pain associated with myofascial trigger points: results of an open-label pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate potential usefulness of a heated lidocaine/tetracaine topical patch for treatment for pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTPs). BACKGROUND: Depth and duration of analgesia when patch is used as indicated, on intact skin to provide local dermal analgesia for superficial venous access and dermatologic procedures, suggest utility in relief of MTP-associated pain. METHODS: In this open-label, single-center outpatient pilot study, patients with ≥ 1-month history of pain associated with up to 3 MTPs and average pain intensity ≥ 4 on 11-point scale applied 1 patch to each MTP for 4 hours twice daily for 2 weeks, followed by 2 weeks with no treatment. Patients continued prescribed analgesic dosing regimens. RESULTS: Twenty patients enrolled; 17 completed the study. At baseline, mean ± SD average pain intensity was 6.3 ± 1.56. This decreased by 33% to 4.5 ± 2.31 (N = 20) at the end of treatment; 40% of patients had clinically significant (≥ 30%) decrease, and 25% had substantial (≥ 50%) decrease. Pain interference with general activity, mood, normal work, and enjoyment of life decreased by ≥ 50% in 35% of patients; and with walking, sleep, and relationship by ≥ 50% in 50% of patients (N = 20). Worst trigger point sensitivity improved in 45% of patients; 75% were satisfied or very satisfied with treatment; none required rescue medication. Two weeks after stopping treatment, average pain intensity was 5.0 ± 2.04; treatment benefit was maintained in 8 (40%) patients. The most common adverse event was erythema. CONCLUSION: The heated lidocaine/tetracaine patch has potential utility as a noninvasive pharmacologic approach for managing MTP pain. Further studies are warranted.

Approaching temporomandibular disorders from a new direction: a randomized controlled clinical trial of the TMDes ear system.

TMDes (Registered Trademark of Ascentia Health, Inc., Rockford, Illinois), custom-fit ear inserts to aid in reducing temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain, were evaluated in a prospective, three-month, open-label, three-arm, randomized, unblinded clinical trial, which included patients with TMD diagnoses (RDC/TMD) of myofascial pain, arthralgia, and/or disc displacement with reduction; and a screening VAS pain score of > 4. The three treatment groups included: TMDes (n = 60), stabilization splint (n = 64), and jaw exercise regimen (n = 28). The mean change in Craniomandibular Index (CMI) scores (reductions reflecting improvement) from baseline to one month were -27% (TMDes), -20% (stabilization splint), -12% (jaw exercise regimen), and from baseline to three months were -45%, -41%, -36%, reflecting statistically significant noninferiority (p = 0.0096) of the TMDes to the stabilization splint (primary efficacy endpoint). The TMDes produced significant (p < 0.0001) mean changes in VAS pain scores from baseline of -46% at one month and -58% at three months and demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to the stabilization splint.

[Trigger points - Diagnosis and treatment concepts with special reference to extracorporeal shockwaves]. / Triggerpunkte - Diagnose und Behandlungskonzepte unter besonderer Berücksichtigung extrakorporaler Stoßwellen.

The 70-year-old trigger point theory has experienced a growing scientific confirmation and clinical significance as a consequence of recent muscle pain research. The trigger point pain formation is caused by high levels of vasoneuroactive substances. Depending on intensity and duration of the muscle stimulus the central pain processing is modified and leads to characteristic referred pain patterns. The most effective conventional forms of treatment are aimed at a direct mechanical manipulation of the trigger point as are new forms of therapy with focused and radial shockwaves. By using high pressures the focused shockwaves in particular are suitable to provoke local and referred pain and thus simplify the trigger point diagnosis. The empirically found therapeutic effect of shockwaves on muscles is hypothetical and can be explained in analogy with validated reactions of shockwaves in non-muscle tissues. Overall, the shockwave therapy on muscles represents a confirmation and extension of the existing trigger point therapy. It seems to be suitable for treating functional muscular disorders and myofascial pain syndromes within the locomotor system.

Stimulation of myofascial trigger points with ultrasound induces segmental antinociceptive effects: a randomized controlled study.

Musculoskeletal pain affects a significant proportion of the general population. The myofascial trigger point is recognized as a key factor in the pathophysiology of musculoskeletal pain. Ultrasound is commonly employed in the treatment and management of soft tissue pain and, in this study, we set out to investigate the segmental antinociceptive effect of ultrasound. Subjects (n=50) with identifiable myofascial trigger points in the supraspinatus, infraspinatus and gluteus medius muscles were selected from an outpatient rehabilitation clinic and randomly assigned to test or control groups. Test subjects received a therapeutic dose of ultrasound to the right supraspinatus trigger point while control groups received a sham (null) exposure. Baseline pain pressure threshold (PPT) readings were recorded at the ipsilateral infraspinatus and gluteus medius trigger-point sites prior to ultrasound exposure. The infraspinatus point was chosen due to its segmental neurologic link with the supraspinatus point; the gluteus medius acted as a segmental control point. Following the ultrasound intervention, PPT readings were recorded at 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 min intervals at both infraspinatus and gluteus medius trigger points; the difference between infraspinatus and gluteus medius PPT values, PPT seg, represents the segmental influence on the PPT. The ultrasound test group demonstrated statistically significant increases in PPT seg (decreased infraspinatus sensitivity) at 1, 3 and 5 min, when compared with PPT seg in the sham ultrasound group. These results establish that low-dose ultrasound evokes short-term segmental antinociceptive effects on trigger points which may have applications in the management of musculoskeletal pain.

Comparison of epidural analgesia and intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia for post-thoracotomy pain control.

Epidural analgesia is regarded as the gold method for controlling post-thoracotomy pain. Intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia can also produce satisfactory analgesic effects, but is suspected to increase the incidence of chronic pain. However, randomized controlled trials comparing these two methods for post-thoracotomy acute pain analgesic effects and chronic pain incidents have not been conducted previously. We studied 107 adult patients, allocated randomly to thoracic epidural bupivacaine and morphine or intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia. Acute pain scores and opioid-related side effects were evaluated for three postoperative days. Chronic pain information, including the incidence, severity, and allodynia-like pain, was acquired on the first, third, sixth and twelfth months postoperatively. There was no significant difference on numeral rating scales (NRS) at rest or on motion between the two groups during the three postoperative days. The patient satisfaction results were also similar between the groups. The side effects, especially mild pruritus, were reported more often in the epidural group. Both groups showed high incidence of chronic pain (42.1-72.1%), and no significance between the groups. The incidence of allodynia-like pain reported in cryo group was higher than that in Epidural group on any postoperative month, with significance on the sixth and the twelfth months postoperatively (P<0.05). More patients rated their chronic pain intensity on moderate and severe in cryo group and interfered with daily life (P<0.05). Both thoracic epidural analgesia and intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia showed satisfactory analgesia for post-thoracotomy acute pain. The incidence of post-thoracotomy chronic pain is high. Cryoanalgesia may be a factor that increases the incidence of neuropathic pain.

The importance of postural habits in perpetuating myofascial trigger point pain.

Various structural abnormalities that contribute to the perpetuation of myofascial trigger point activity and the pain arising from it, have previously been well documented. In addition, however, there are a number of postural habits that are important to recognise as they may also contribute, as shown in the five cases discussed. These postural habits, which are likely to be carried out both frequently and unconsciously, are adopted during the course of sitting, standing or sleeping. They are entirely independent of any structural abnormalities that may be present. Correcting them is a necessary contribution to treatment, as failure to do so is liable to lead to persistence of the pain.

Amitriptyline reduces myofascial tenderness in patients with chronic tension-type headache.

The tricyclic anti-depressant amitriptyline is widely used in the treatment of chronic tension-type headache. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the analgesic effect is caused by a reduction of muscle pain or by a general reduction of pain sensitivity. Thirty-three non-depressed patients with chronic tension-type headache were treated with amitriptyline 75 mg/day and with the highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram 20 mg/day in a 32-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way crossover study. At the end of each treatment period, actual headache intensity and pericranial myofascial tenderness were recorded, pressure pain detection and tolerance thresholds were measured in the finger and in the temporal region and the electrical pain threshold was measured at the labial commissure. Amitriptyline reduced tenderness and headache intensity significantly more than placebo (P=0.01 and P=0.04, respectively). The reduction in tenderness could be ascribed solely to the group of patients who responded to amitriptyline treatment by at least 30% reduction in headache while tenderness was unchanged in non-responders. Amitriptyline did not affect pressure or electrical pain thresholds at any of the examined locations. Citalopram had no significant effect on any of the examined parameters. These findings indicate that amitriptyline elicits its analgesic effect in chronic myofascial pain by reducing the transmission of painful stimuli from myofascial tissues rather than by reducing overall pain sensitivity. We suggest that this effect is caused by a segmental reduction of central sensitization in combination with a peripheral anti-nociceptive action.

[Diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain]. / Diagnostiek en behandeling van myofasciale pijn.

Myofascial pain (MFP) is a regional muscle pain disorder characterized by localized muscle tenderness and pain and is the most common cause of persistent regional pain. MFP is frequently overlooked as a diagnosis because it is often accompanied by signs and symptoms in addition to pain, coincidental pathology conditions, and behavioral and psychosocial problems. Evaluation of myofascial pain includes locating the trigger points and muscles involved as well as recognition of these contributing factors. Management of the syndrome follows with palliative care, splint therapy, muscle exercises, therapy to the trigger points, and behavioral therapy that depends on complexity of the case. The short term goals is to restore the muscle tot normal length, posture, and full joint range of motion with exercises and trigger point therapy. The long term goals include reducing the symptoms and their negative effects while helping the patient return to normal function without need for further health care. The difficulty in managing MFP lies in the critical need to match the level of complexity of the management program with the complexity of the patient. Failure to address the entire problem through a team approach if needed, may lead to failure to resolve the pain and perpetuation of a chronic pain syndrome.