Trigger point injections
What is a trigger point injection?
A trigger point is a sensitive or irritable spot, usually in a muscle, which can be a source of persistent pain. Trigger point injections are minimally invasive procedures involving delivery of medicine to the painful spot. The injection will contain local anaesthetic (numbing medicine) with or without an anti-inflammatory cortisone (steroid). Ideally physiotherapy and/or stretching exercises should be done alongside the injection therapy, to prevent the muscle spasms returning.
Are there any risks?
Trigger point injections are relatively safe procedures. However, any medical intervention does carry some risks. This includes infection, bruising, injection soreness and failure. Occasionally patients report worsening of the symptoms following injections.
Other specific risks depend on the part of the body where the injections are performed. For example, dizziness following neck injections; risk of lung collapse after chest injections; damage to internal organs following abdomen injections; difficulty in walking after leg injections etc. Precautions will be taken to keep the complications as minimum as possible.
Before the procedure
• You will receive treatment as an outpatient
• You will be given a 30-minute appointment.
• You may eat and drink as normal.
• Please bring a list of your current medications with you.
• Please inform the doctor of any known allergies.
• If there is any possibility that you may be pregnant please inform the doctor.
• Your doctor will discuss the procedure with you and take your consent.
The procedure
• The procedure is carried out in one of the clinic treatment rooms.
• Depending on the site of the injection you may either wear your own clothes or a hospital gown.
• You will be asked to sit or lie on a hospital couch.
• The doctor will clean your skin with an antiseptic solution which may feel cold
• Using a fine needle, the medicine will be injected into the trigger points.
• If a small dressing has been placed over the needle insertion site, this can be removed later that day.
Following the procedure
• After the procedure, please be careful when you first get off the couch – ensure you are steady on your feet.
• Following injections in certain areas of the body it may be unsafe to drive. It would more advisable to arrange safe alternative transport. If in doubt, discuss with your doctor.
• Take your regular medication and pain killers as normal unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
• There is no need for bed rest. You can resume your normal activity from next day onwards.
• A letter will be sent to your GP describing the procedure you underwent.
The main purpose of these injections is to facilitate some pain-free period which should provide a window period of opportunity to engage with stretching exercises and increase activity level. The need for repeating the injection depends on how you respond to the trigger point injections, pain relief, reduction in the need for pain medications, improvement in physical activity etc.