Indications
Supraspinatus injection is a useful diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for myofascial pain.
Techniques
After informed consent is obtained, the patient is placed in a sitting or prone position. The supraspinatus muscle is palpated for trigger points from the supraspinous fossa to the humerus. The injection sites are identified as points of maximal tenderness to deep palpation reproducing the patient’s pain complaint. This may or may not result in referred pain. The patient is prepared in a standard aseptic fashion over an area large enough to allow palpation of landmarks, and sterile technique is used throughout the procedure. A 1½-in. (4-cm), 21- to 25-gauge needle is inserted at the point of maximal tenderness and advanced to the area of the trigger point. After negative aspiration, the trigger point area is injected with 4 mL of local anesthetic (Fig. 67-24).
FIGURE 67-24. Supraspinatus. Trigger points and referred pain patterns.
Comment
The referred pain pattern for the supraspinatus muscle often involves the posterior lateral aspect of the shoulder and upper extremity. The patient should be fully familiar with the stretching program for the supraspinatus muscle and be instructed in a home program. Failure to include a home stretching program usually results in short-term relief.
Complications
Significant complications are uncommon with supraspinatus trigger point injections.
Source: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Principles and Practice
Originally posted 2014-03-08 07:21:08.
