What Causes This Pain?
Myofascial pain, or trigger points, is caused by the muscle itself or the connective tissue attached to the muscle (the fascia). This can feel like muscle tension or soreness or even severe pain. The spasm pain can be localized (in a small area) or a larger area.
What Are Trigger Point Injections?
A trigger point injection consists of an anesthetic (usually Lidocaine) and a corticosteroid (usually Kenalog) injected into the affected area(s). The combination of these medications allow for anti-inflammatory relief within the trigger points.
The injection is done by using X-ray guidance to properly place the needle into the affected area. Once proper placement is confirmed, the medication is slowly injected in. This injection can be done with or without sedation to ensure a painless procedure.
What Can I Expect?
Following the trigger point injection, you may feel immediate relief. In other cases, you may feel sore for a few days and may even have slightly increased pain. This is normal and as the corticosteroid spreads, the relief should increase. You can usually return to work the next day after an injection, but always check with Dr. Bhatt if you have any questions.
The duration of pain relief depends on the level of inflammation and on the number of areas affected. Sometimes relief can last several months before additional treatment is needed. However, if there is an underlying problem (disc or joint related), further treatment may be required. If your pain is caused by other areas, Dr. Bhatt knows several other treatments to help ease your pain.
If you are interested in learning more about trigger point pain and injections, please call NJ Spine and Pain Center at 609-587-6070 to schedule an appointment at any of our locations.
