What is the effectiveness of trigger point injections?!
Question: What is the effectiveness of trigger point injections!?
I had a lifting injury about 20 months ago that has caused pain in my rhomboid muscles on the right side!. The pain radiates into my shoulder, arm, and neck!. It has also caused my right shoulder blade to "wing"!. I have done physical therapy 4 times and had a TENS unit, none of which have relieved the pain!. Now my doctor wants to do trigger point injections!. I am afraid that this will only cover the pain, rather than solve it!. Will the injections actually heal the muscle or will it cover it up, only for the pain to return!? Are trigger points usually caused by a lifting injury!? I'm not sure what to do; I can't seek a second opinion, as this is workman's comp and my options are very limited!. Any advice would be appreciated!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I've never met anyone who got permanent relief from trigger point injections!. It is simply a way to manage chronic pain!. A trigger point is not a diagnosis, it is a symptom of another underlying condition!. If you have had a sudden onset of SIGNIFICANT scapular winging, this could indicate injury to the long thorasic nerve either periperally (at the site), or further up into the spine near the nerve root!.
Have you had PT directed specifically to the neck for specific cervical exercises (not ones just to correct your scapular winging), have you had a cervical MRI or an EMG study!? This might lead you in the right direction!.
!.!.!.but TP injections certainly might be helpful in the short term!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Have you had PT directed specifically to the neck for specific cervical exercises (not ones just to correct your scapular winging), have you had a cervical MRI or an EMG study!? This might lead you in the right direction!.
!.!.!.but TP injections certainly might be helpful in the short term!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
cortisone injections are meant to just mask the pain and make it tolerable--have you tried manual therapy!?Www@Answer-Health@Com