What is a Trigger Point Injection?

• A trigger point is a sensitive or irritable point in the body that can be a source of pain. These may be found in the skin, ligament and tendon tissue and can result in bands of pain known as referred pain. This pain can be located at some distance from the actual source of the pain.
• Causes for trigger point pain include repetitive strain injuries, stress and muscular conditions, herniated discs, pinched nerves or surgical scars.
• A trigger point injection involves the injection of local anaesthetic and sometimes steroid into the tender areas or trigger points.
• There is no requirement for sedation.

Prior to the Procedure

• All blood thinning products (except aspirin) must be stopped prior to your procedure. You will be advised by letter when to stop taking these medications at the time that your admission date is arranged.
• You will need to organise someone to drive you home after the procedure as you will not be able to drive for 4 hours after your procedure.

What Will Happen?

1. Your doctor will speak with you prior to your injection.
2. The trigger points will be palpated and marked with a marking pen.
3. The area will then be cleaned with a chlorhexidine solution or alcohol wipe.
4. Local anaesthetic, +/- the steroid will be injected. The procedure may take around 10 minutes to complete.
5. After your injection you will be allowed home with your driver.

Post Procedure

• Gentle activity is recommended for 24 hours and then you may return to pre-procedure activities.
• The local anaesthetic will wear off 12 – 18 hours following the injection and the steroid (if injected) will take approximately 2 days to start working.

If you require further explanation of the procedure, please contact Hunter Pain Specialists nursing staff on (02) 4985 1800.