Trigger Point Injection for the Treatment of Cervical Strain In the Emergency Department

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Traumatology 2002;15(1):33-38.

Gi Woon Kim, M.D., Sang Cheon Choi, M.D., Hyun Jong Song, Ph.D., Young Shin Bae, M.D., Joon Pil Cho, M.D. and Yoon Seok Jung, M.D.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea

급성 경부 염좌 치료를 위한 유발점 주사 요법

김기운·최상천·송현종·배영신·조준필·정윤석

아주대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실

Abstract

Background : The common precipitating events of whiplash injury are motor vehicle crashes, falls, or sport injuries. When cervical strain with myofascial symptoms occur, systemic nonsteroidal agents are not very effective. Methods: One group pretest posttest design. We had 35 patients (male: 24; female: 11) enrolled in the study from April 1998 to August 1999. Prior to lidocaine injection therapy, a pain score ‘10’ was given to all patients, regardless of intensity of their complaints. We measured the pain score after the injection at an intervals of 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and before discharge. We measured not only the pain score but also the range of motion (rotation, flexion, and extension) after trigger point injection therapy. Results: Thirty (30) out of 35 patients reported improvement within 10 minutes, and the change in the pain score was from 10 to 4.7 (p<0.05). Also, 19 out of 15 patients showed a remarkable improvement. Conclusion: Trigger point (TrP) injection therapy as a pain control in emergency room is very effective. Further study is required.

Key Words: Whiplash injury; Neck sprain; Trigger point injection