Edit Condition: Myofascial Pain Syndrome

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Caption:	Myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius.
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Definition:	Pain characterised by myofascial trigger points
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Clinical Features:	Tender taut band within the muscle that reproduces the patients pain.
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Treatment:	Manual therapy, stretching, trigger point injections
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'''Myofascial pain syndrome''' is pain that arises from muscles or related fascia and is characterised by the presence of myofascial trigger points (MTPs). ==Definition== '''Myofascial Pain:''' is pain that arises from muscles or related fascia. '''Myofascial trigger point:''' A palpable hypersensitive tender nodule in a taut [[Skeletal Muscle|skeletal muscle]] band with a twitch response. Pressure can also cause a characterised [[Somatic Referred Pain|referred pain]] pattern, motor dysfunction, and autonomic responses (e.g. vasodilation, vasoconstriction, piloerection). <u>A MTP can be latent or active.</u> *'''Active MTPs:''' Spontaneously painful with increased pain on contraction or stretching of the muscle *'''Latent MTPs:''' Focal tender and tight areas that aren't spontaneously painful but may restrict range of motion and strength ==Pathophysiology== The pathophysiology isn't completely known and is controversial. The MTP is associated with endplate noise from a motor endplate that releases abnormal amounts of acetylcholine. [[Skeletal Muscle|Sarcomeres]] are shortened in the endplate regions which cause a local release of sensitising substances resulting in pain. They are often related to [[Central Sensitisation|nociplastic pain]] and [[Allodynia and Alloknesis|allodynia/hyperalgesia]]. ==Aetiology== *Acute muscle overload *Repetitive stress or prolonged abnormal postures *Radiculopathy *Trauma *Other trigger points *[[Visceral Pain|Visceral pain]] *Joint dysfunction *Emotional distress ==Clinical Assessment== ===Clinical Features=== '''Palpation:''' The MTP should be palpated perpendicular to the direction of the muscle fibre. When palpating over a firm or bony structure compress the muscle against it. In some areas the muscle can be grasped between the fingers with a pincer grip to allow for MTP palpation. Referred pain is most readily detected with palpation in the centre of the MTP. So move your fingers along the taut band to find the hardest and most tender spot. '''Referred Pain:''' When found compress it for 5-10 seconds and ask the patient if there is local or [[Somatic Referred Pain|referred pain]]. Referred pain is somewhat follows the [[Myotomes|myotome]] pattern of innervation. For example, infraspinatus is primarily innervated by C5, and tends to refer pain to other C5-innervated muscles, with also a spread to C4 and C6 muscles (Also see [[Deep Somatic Pain]]). '''Twitch Response:''' A local twitch response can occur which is when pressure over the MTP causes localised contraction. It is a brief (25-250ms), high-amplitude, polyphasic electrical discharge. It is dependent on an intact spinal cord reflex arc. It isn't seen in healthy muscle.<ref name=":0">Gerwin RD. Diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2014 May;25(2):341-55. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2014.01.011. Epub 2014 Mar 18. PMID: 24787337.</ref> '''Weakness and ROM Restriction:''' There may be increased tension and shortening with restricted range of motion and weakness with poor muscle activation patterns. MTPs typically occur in muscles that are fatigued, overloaded, weak, or activated because of failure of other muscles. Weakness can be temporarily reversed with inactivation of the trigger point. '''Autonomic Changes:''' There can be vasodilation or vasoconstriction due to autonomic nervous system activation. This can be seen as erythema or blanching. ===Clinical Syndromes=== In a myofascial pain syndrome there may be just one trigger point but more typically there are several trigger points. {| class="wikitable" !Area !Involved Muscles |- |'''Low back Pain''' | *Quadratus lumborum: low back with radiation into the legs or testicles *Iliopsoas: vertical band in low back and upper anterior thigh *Gluteus medius: sacral and buttock area and lateral hip |- |'''Neck and Shoulder Pain''' | *Trapezius: upper trapezius refers pain to the back of the neck and angle of the jaw *Levator scapula: angle of the neck and shoulder |- |'''Hip Pain''' | *Gluteus medius *Gluteus minimus |- |'''Pelvic Pain''' | *Levator ani |- |'''Headaches''' | *Sternocleidomastoid: anterior face and supraorbital area *Upper trapezius: vertex of the forehead and temple *Deep cervical muscles: post-occipital and retro-orbital pain |- |'''Jaw Pain''' | *Masseters and Pterygoids *Upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid |- |'''Upper Limb Pain''' | *Subscapularis *Infraspinatus *Teres Major *Serratuis Anterior *Pectoralis minor: radiating pain down the ulnar side of the arm into the little finger. |- |'''Lower Limb Pain''' | *Tensor fascia lata: lateral thigh pain *Iliotibial band: lateral knee pain *Quradriceps: anterior knee pain *Hamstring and popliteus: posterior knee pain *Anterior tibialis: anterior leg pain *Peroneus longus: lateral ankle pain |- |'''Chest and Abdominal Pain''' |NB: MTPs can accompany true visceral pathology (see [[Visceral Pain]]) *Pectoralis major: ipsilateral anterior chest pain with radiation down the ulnar side of the arm *Sternalis: deep substernal pain *Rectus abdominis: abdominal pain |} ==Investigations== Blood tests can include TSH, ferritin, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. ==Diagnosis== The first three are essential for the diagnosis, the last five are not required.<ref name=":0" /> #'''Taut band within the muscle''' #'''Exquisite tenderness at a point on the taut band''' #'''Reproduction of the patient’s pain''' #Local twitch response #Referred pain #Weakness #Restricted range of motion #Autonomic signs: skin warmth or erythema, tearing, piloerection. A pragmatic definition is the presence of a tender taut band that reproduces the patient's pain in full or in part. ==Differential Diagnosis== Myofascial pain should be distinguished from [[fibromyalgia]]. Widespread myofascial pain can be confused with fibromyalgia but there are some important differences. {| class="wikitable" !Myofascial Pain !Fibromyalgia |- |No female preponderance |Female preponderance (8:1) |- |Regional pain |Widespread pain |- |Local tenderness |Widespread tenderness |- |Hardy ropy muscles |Soft doughy muscles |- |Reduced range of motion |Hypermobility |- |Trigger points |Tender points |- |Immediate response to trigger point injections |Delayed or poor response to trigger point injections |} Myofascial pain can occur in conjunction with fibromyalgia as well. In some individuals the dysfunctional neuromuscular junctions may be the primary driver in the [[Central Sensitisation|central sensitisation]] that is characteristic of [[fibromyalgia]]. ==Treatment== ===Posture and Ergonomics=== Correct any predisposing factors. ===Manual Therapy=== Manual therapy can be used to improve range of motion, but this may not necessarily improve pain.<ref>Guzmán-Pavón MJ, Cavero-Redondo I, Martínez-Vizcaíno V, Torres-Costoso AI, Reina-Gutiérrez S, Álvarez-Bueno C. Effect of Manual Therapy Interventions on Range of Motion Among Individuals with Myofascial Trigger Points: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Med. 2022 Jan 3;23(1):137-143. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnab224. PMID: 34289061.</ref> *Muscle energy techniques including [[Postisometric Relaxation|Postisometric relaxation]] *Ischaemic compression *Stretching *Strain-counterstrain technique *Positional release technique *Pressure release *Transverse friction massage *Joint manipulation Treatment of an MTP depends on the cause #Muscle is weak and fatigues quickly: treatment is strengthening #Muscle is overactive and compensating for other muscles that aren't correctly activating: restore correct motor pattern for example scapula stabilisation #Muscle is inappropriately active: modify inappropriate activities that are overloading the muscle e.g. holding one's phone between the head and shoulder. ===Trigger Point Injection=== The trigger point is peppered with [[lidocaine]]{{NZF|code=7057}} using a fine needle to inactivate the trigger point. The MTP is accurately located by finding a local twitch response with the needle tip. Some clinicians add [[Prolotherapy Injection|dextrose]] to the local anaesthetic e.g. at a concentration of 5%. ===Medications=== Options are [[Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs|NSAIDs]] and tricyclic antidepressants. ==See Also== *[https://triggerpoints.net triggerpoints.net] *[[Central Sensitisation]] *[[Allodynia and Alloknesis|Allodynia and hyperalgesia]] *[[Fibromyalgia]] *[[Deep Somatic Pain]] *[[Media:Critcal Overview MPS 2019.pdf|Critical Overview MPS 2019]] *[[Media:Critical overview MPS dommerholt 2017.pdf|Critical overview MPS - dommerholt 2017]] ==References== [[Category:Widespread]] [[Category:Functional Approaches]] <references />

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