Estimation of Plasma Dopamine Level after Intramuscular Trigger Point Corticosteroid Injection in Patient with Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Background:Myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) is a disorder comprising pain, jaw movement problems, and muscle spasm. Hyper-excitation of peripheral sensory neurons leads to spasms of the masticator muscles, causing an inductionresponse in the motor neuron.

Methods:This study was conducted in private dental center during the period from 27/4/2019 to 3/11/2019. Thirty-three patients with myofascial pain syndrome and 25 control participants were included in this study, all patients were diagnosed by oral medicine specialist, and single dose steroid mixed with 0.5% lidocaine was injected in the tender muscles trigger point which includes masseter, temporalis and lateral pterygoid muscles. The goal of this study was to investigate plasma levels of dopamine in patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MFS) and healthy controls and assessment of plasma dopamine level, grinding tenderness scheme and visual analogue scale after trigger point steroid injection.

Results:Dopamine in plasma differed significantly increased in between patients with Myofascial pain syndrome (1290.2 ± 314.4) and healthy controls (479.4 ± 148.4; P < 0.01) regarding to post injection group decreased significantly (1001.4 ± 232.9; P < 0.01). Patients stated significantly higher pain intensities VAS scale (P < 0.001) and had lower intensities (P < 0.01) compared with the post corticosteroid TrP injection.

Conclusions: Trigger point injection is a valuable procedure for pain relief for patients in myofascial pain syndrome.