Role of myofascial trigger points in post-amputation pain: causation and management.

BACKGROUND

Post-amputation pain is a multifactorial issue and thus necessitates multiple treatment strategies. Myofascial trigger points-related pain remains under diagnosed and hence not addressed. This study investigates causation and management.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the presence and role of myofascial trigger points in post amputation pain.

STUDY

DESIGN

Post-amputation pain clinic review and recruitment.

METHODS

Twenty one identified patients in the post-amputation pain clinic with myofascial trigger points were recruited, of which 13 were transtibial and eight transfemoral and all had phantom limb pain and stump pain. The trigger points were identified and injected with long-acting local anaesthetic on a weekly basis and patients were followed up on an ongoing basis.

RESULTS

There was significant resolution of pain on the Visual Analogue Scale in the majority of these patients within five weeks, though some of the transtibial cohort needed further eight injections on a weekly basis for resolution of the pain.

CONCLUSION

Identification of myofascial trigger points in amputation stumps and their role in post-amputation pain, followed by appropriate intervention is an important facet of management of this complex chronic pain. Clinical relevance Myofascial trigger points in amputation stumps can lead to ongoing chronic post-amputation pain and our results indicate that identification and intervention of these trigger points does lead to notable resolution of this pain.