From the Guidelines
Trigger point injection typically requires a 27-30 gauge, 1-2 inch needle to minimize discomfort and local trauma while allowing for effective injection of local anesthetics or saline solution to help relax the muscle and relieve pain 1.
- The specific medication used may include 1% lidocaine, with a dose of 0.1-0.5 mL per trigger point.
- The procedure may be repeated as needed, up to 3-4 times, with at least 1-2 weeks between sessions.
- It is essential to note that the choice of needle size and type may depend on various factors, including patient age, weight, and the purpose of the procedure, as well as the physician's preference and experience 1.
- However, for trigger point injection, a 27-gauge needle is often recommended, as it is small enough to minimize discomfort and local trauma while still allowing for effective injection of medication 1.
From the Research
Needle Size for Trigger Point Injection
- The recommended needle size for trigger point injection is not explicitly stated in all studies, but some studies provide information on the needle sizes used:
- A study published in 1992 used a 21-gauge hypodermic needle for percutaneous release of the trigger finger 2.
- A study published in 2012 used a 14-gauge needle for percutaneous surgical technique in the treatment of trigger finger 3.
- A study published in 2009 compared the efficacy of 21-, 23-, and 25-gauge needles for trigger point injection in myofascial pain syndrome and found no significant difference between the three groups in terms of pain intensity during injection, but injections with 21- or 23-gauge needles were found to be more effective in terms of health-related quality of life 4.
- A study published in 2021 used a specially designed needle (0.8×100 mm) with a planus tip for percutaneous trigger thumb release 5.
- A study published in 2010 used miniscalpel-needle release and acupuncture needling for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome, but did not specify the needle size 6.
Comparison of Needle Sizes
- The studies suggest that different needle sizes can be used for trigger point injection, and the choice of needle size may depend on the specific procedure and the patient's condition.
- The study published in 2009 found that 21- and 23-gauge needles were more effective than 25-gauge needles in terms of health-related quality of life, but found no significant difference between the three groups in terms of pain intensity during injection 4.
- The study published in 2012 used a 14-gauge needle and found that the percutaneous surgical technique was effective, convenient, and cost-effective with a low complication rate 3.