Trigger Point Injections

A trigger point is a knot or a “tight ropy band” of muscle tissue that forms when a muscle does not relax. (Neurology Channel Trigger Point Injections, 2000) This knot can often be felt under the skin and the muscle may twitch or jerk involuntarily. Trigger point injections are used to treat these painful areas of muscle.

This procedure is often done in an outpatient setting—such as a physician’s office. The area to be treated is identified and the skin is cleansed thoroughly. A small needle is then injected into the trigger point where numbing medication and possibly a steroid medication are injected. Injection into the muscle is thought to “inactivate” the trigger point. This decreases pain for many patients.
Complications are possible with any invasive medical procedure, but are rare with trigger point injections. Some complications that could occur include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Allergic reaction to the medication
• Pain at the injection site or worsening pain

Please talk to the doctor about any concerns or questions you have. Always notify your doctor if you are on a blood thinner before having a facet joint, or any type of spinal injection.

Bibliography

Neurology Channel Trigger Point Injections. (2000, February 2). Retrieved March 12, 2008, from Neurology Channel: http://www.neurologychannel.com/tpi/index.shtml