What is the incidence of muscle atrophy in patients receiving trigger point (TP) injections?

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Last updated: April 7, 2025 • View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

The incidence of muscle atrophy in patients receiving trigger point injections is not directly addressed in the provided evidence, but based on general medical knowledge, it is considered extremely low and not well-documented in medical literature. Trigger point injections (TPIs) are generally considered safe procedures with minimal risk of causing muscle atrophy when performed correctly. The injections typically contain local anesthetics like lidocaine or bupivacaine, sometimes combined with corticosteroids, and are administered directly into myofascial trigger points to relieve pain.

Key Points to Consider

  • While repeated corticosteroid injections in the same muscle area theoretically could lead to localized atrophy over time, this is not a commonly reported complication with standard TPI protocols.
  • Most practitioners limit the frequency of steroid-containing injections to minimize such risks, typically recommending no more than 3-4 injections per year in the same location.
  • Patients receiving trigger point injections should be monitored for any unusual muscle weakness or visible changes in muscle appearance, though these would be considered rare adverse events rather than expected outcomes.
  • The therapeutic benefit of relieving myofascial pain through TPIs generally outweighs the minimal risk of muscle atrophy. The provided evidence 1 discusses muscle atrophy in the context of chronic heart failure patients, highlighting its frequency and association with under-perfusion, malnutrition, direct action of cytokines, and genetics, but does not provide information on the incidence of muscle atrophy in patients receiving trigger point injections.

From the Research

Incidence of Muscle Atrophy in Patients Receiving Trigger Point Injections

  • There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies do not mention the incidence of muscle atrophy in patients receiving trigger point injections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • The studies focus on the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome with trigger point injections, comparing different injection methods and evaluating their efficacy 3, 4, 5.
  • They also discuss the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain syndrome, including the use of trigger point injections as a low-risk and low-cost procedure 2, 6.
  • However, none of the studies provide information on the incidence of muscle atrophy in patients receiving trigger point injections.

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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