Untersuchungen über druckschmerzhafte Punkte bei Patienten mit generalisierter Tendomyopathie

Summary

Tender points at the site of muscle insertion, particularly, at the site of tendon insertion, play an essential role in diagnosis of Generalized Tendomyopathy (GTM/fibromyalgia). Only rarely do these points occur far from an insertion as, for example, with the trapezius muscle at the shoulder. With the aid of a dolorimeter, the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of these points was measured. The tip of the dolorimeter was placed on the insertion point and the pressure was increased until the patient confirmed pain. As we could show in a survey of 100 patients, the PPT in points near insertion differed highly significantly from points far from insertions. An exception is the above-mentioned point.

In a further survey, the PPT at 64 different locations, which were near as well as far from insertions, were compared in 100 patients with GTM, and in 50 age- and sex- matched healthy persons. At all points, a highly significant difference was found. This shows that the PPT is not only lowered in certain points, but the PPT is generally lowered in patients with GTM, while the manifestation of the lowered PPT is more obvious at points near insertions.