Myofascial pain syndrome: risk factors, diagnosis and local therapy

Abstract

One of the main reasons for seeking medical help is myofascial syndrome (MFS), which is manifested by local inflammation with elements of degenerative changes in the affected tissue, pain and muscle spasm due to dysfunctional disorders in the nociceptive system and a decrease in the quality of life. This review discusses etiopathogenesis in detail, taking into account the factors predisposing to the development of MFS, which are divided into anatomical, ergonomic, medical and psychosocial, and also provides diagnostic criteria for pain MFS, including 5 large and 3 small criteria necessary for diagnosis. The second part of the review examines the indications, efficacy, safety, and benefits of topical forms of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which have a moderate effect on pain, but have a much better safety profile due to reduced systemic absorption. The use of topical drugs allows you to create an effective concentration of the drug directly in the lesion and avoid undesirable systemic effects. Experts strongly recommend prescribing primarily topical, rather than oral, NSAIDs to patients aged 65 years and older who have concomitant cardiovascular and renal pathology, as well as diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In more detail, the review examines topical forms of diclofenac, which differ in the maximum degree of transdermal penetration compared to other NSAIDs and the effect of slow release of the active substance into the surrounding tissues.

Keywords

• myofascial syndrome
• chronic pain
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• local therapy
• diclofenac