Trigger Point Injections Versus Lidocaine Patch for Myofascial Pain in the Emergency Department

University of California, Irvine

Overview

The aim of this trial is to investigate the efficacy of trigger point injections with 1% lidocaine in reducing myofascial back and neck pain in the Emergency Department compared to lidocaine patches 5%.

After being informed about the study and the potential risks and benefits, all patients will be randomized into either the trigger point injection group with 1% lidocaine, or the 5% lidocaine patch group. Pain scores will be recorded while in the emergency department, and we will have a 5 day follow-up phone call to assess efficacy. Patients who present to UCI Department of Emergency medicine will be screened and recruited prospectively, and information regarding this study will be available on clinicaltrials.gov as a method of recruitment.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Conditions

Myofascial Trigger Point Pain Myofacial Pain

Interventions

Trigger point injection with 1% lidocainePROCEDURE

Previously discussed in prior section.

Lidocaine patch 5%DRUG

Will place lidocaine patch onto skin overlaying point of maximal tenderness

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years or older * Diagnosed with myofascial pain of the posterior neck or back. \*The diagnosis of myofascial pain was based on established criteria of having a palpable taut band (trigger point) that when depressed reproduced the patient's pain. Exclusion Criteria: * midline spinal tenderness * evidence of radiculopathy * pregnant * have an allergy to lidocaine * altered or deemed incapable of making informed consent * had signs of infection or skin breakdown over the trigger point.

Locations (1)

Emergency Room at UCI Medical Center

Orange, California, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

absolute change in Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) of pain

Pain on a scale of 1-10. Minimum value is 1, maximum value is 10. Higher score means higher level of pain while lower score means lower level of pain.

Time frame: 0 minutes and 20-minutes post- treatment, and every 30-60 minutes thereafter until discharge or admission and we will give the patient a hand out so that they can record their pain scores for up to 5 days after their emergency department visit.

Secondary Outcomes

use of other medications for treatment of pain including medications administered

How often and which medications did the patient require in emergency department and upon discharge to control their pain

Time frame: From initiation of the study up to 5 days post discharge

disposition times

Number of minutes it takes to discharge or admit the patient from first contact

Time frame: From initiation of the study up to the point the patient is discharged from the emergency department

satisfaction/experience surveys regarding their treatment

We will administer satisfaction/experience surveys to assess for any discomfort or relief from the intervention

Time frame: Immediately after the intervention is performed/administered

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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