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Trigger point therapy
1Referral Small Animal Surgery Center, Antwerp, Belgium.
Problems in Veterinary Medicine
|March 1, 1992
Summary
Trigger points (TP) are muscle foci causing pain upon compression. In dogs, TP-induced lameness is diagnosed by excluding other issues and observing lameness resolution after TP treatment.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Pain Management
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background:
- Trigger points (TP) are localized muscle areas causing pain and referred pain.
- Diagnosing TP-induced lameness in dogs requires excluding bone, joint, or neurological issues.
- Objective methods like pressure algometry and histology can demonstrate TP existence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the diagnosis and treatment of trigger points in dogs.
- To categorize canine patients based on TP presentation and treatment response.
Main Methods:
- Objective TP demonstration using pressure algometry, threshold measurements, MRI thermography, and histology.
- Clinical evaluation to rule out other causes of lameness.
- Treatment via TP stimulation (dry needling, injections).
Main Results:
- Ten TP are described in dogs, categorized into two clinical groups.
- Dogs with few TPs showed an 80% success rate with treatment in 2-3 weeks.
- Dogs with multiple TPs responded poorly, suggesting potential fibromyalgia.
Conclusions:
- TPs are a valid diagnostic consideration for canine lameness.
- Treatment of TPs can be effective in a subset of canine patients.
- Fibromyalgia may be a consideration in dogs with widespread TPs and poor treatment response.