Coexistence of Miyofascial Trigger Points and Cervical Disc Herniation: Which One is the Main Source of Pain?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the coexistence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and cervical disc herniations (CDH) in patients with neck and upper back pain. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, patients having only MTrPs were defined as group-1, patients having only CDH were defined as group-2, patients having both MTrPs and CDH were defined as Group-3. Two hundred twenty three patients (151 females/72 males; mean age 38.2±10.1 years) were enrolled in this study. There were 30 patients in group 1, 46 patients in group 2, 147 patients in group 3. Results: Thirty eight patients had radiculopathy, 27 of them had MTrP(s). There was no significant difference in terms of CDH level (p=0.275) and degree of herniation (p=0.188) between groups 2 and 3. There was no significant difference in terms of MTrP localisation (p=0.684) between groups 1 and 3. There was no significant difference in terms of MTrP localisations according to CDH level and nerve root compression level in groups 3. Conclusion: MTrP and CDH coexistence is frequent. Management of the pain in the upper back region should be based on whether if the pain originates from MTrP, CDH or both

Keywords

• Neck pain
• trigger points
• disc herniation