Efficacy of Trigger Point Injections in Patients with Lumbar Disc Hernia without Indication for Surgery

English (OpenAlex)

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective comparative study. PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of gluteal trigger point (TP) injections with prilocaine in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy complaining of gluteal pain. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: TP injections can be performed using several anesthetic agents, primarily lidocaine and prilocaine. While several studies have used lidocaine, few have used prilocaine. METHODS: A total of 65 patients who presented at the polyclinic with complaints of lower back pain with lumbar disc herniation (based on physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging) and TPs in the gluteal region were included in this prospective comparative study. Group 1 comprised 30 patients who were given TP injections, a home exercise program, and oral medications, and group 2 comprised 35 patients who were only treated with a home exercise program and oral medications. The patients' demographic data, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores were recorded, and these data were evaluated at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. RESULTS: The ODI and VAS scores of both groups significantly decreased initially and at the follow-up examinations, but the decreases were more marked in group 1. CONCLUSIONS: We obtained better results with TP injections than only a home exercise program and oral medications in patients with radiculopathy and TPs in the gluteal region.