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Atlas of Ultrasound Guided Musculoskeletal Injections pp 89–99Cite as

Trigger Point Injections

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Part of the book series: Musculoskeletal Medicine ((MUM))

Abstract

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) as defined by Travell and Simons is characterized by trigger points (TrP), limited ROM of the affected muscle(s), and neurologic symptoms (autonomic, proprioceptive) (Simons DG, Travell JG, Postgrad Med 73:66–108, 1983). The diagnosis of MPS is based on the presence of 1 or more trigger points. Trigger points (TrP) can be latent or active (Simons DG, Travell JG, Postgrad Med 73:66–108, 1983). Latent TrP are associated with stiffness and restricted ROM but no pain unless palpated. Active TrP produce a referred pain pattern specific to that muscle spontaneously and when the TrP is palpated. The physical findings for diagnosis of a myofascial trigger point are (1) palpation of a tender nodule in a taut band, (2) a referred pain pattern specific for the muscle, (3) a local twitch response (LTR) with snapping palpation or triggering with needle, and (4) restricted ROM (Travell J, Simons DG, Myofascial pain and dysfunction: the trigger point manual, vol 1. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1983).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA

    Stephen Nickl DO & Lauren M. Terranova MD, DO

Authors
  1. Stephen Nickl DO
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  2. Lauren M. Terranova MD, DO
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Correspondence to Stephen Nickl DO .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology - Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA

    David A. Spinner

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA

    Jonathan S. Kirschner

  3. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA

    Joseph E. Herrera

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Nickl, S., Terranova, L.M. (2014). Trigger Point Injections. In: Spinner, D., Kirschner, J., Herrera, J. (eds) Atlas of Ultrasound Guided Musculoskeletal Injections. Musculoskeletal Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8936-8_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8936-8_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-8935-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-8936-8

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