The analysis of myofascial trigger points in the infraspinatus muscle misdiagnosed as cervical spondylotic radiculopathy / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the cause of myofascial trigger points(MTrPs)in the infraspinatus muscle misdiagnosed as cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(CSR).Methods:Clinical data of patients with MTrPs in the infraspinatus muscle misdiagnosed as CSR were collected in Peking University Third Hospital from October 2016 to September 2019.Results:A total of 28 cases with MTrPs in the infraspinatus muscle were misdiagnosis as CSR.All patients received CT or magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of cervical spine, while none of them received physical examination in posterior shoulder area before confirming MTrPs in the infraspinatus muscle.The pain range was mainly located in the radial side of the shoulder, upper arm and forearm(89.3%)and was mainly unilateral(89.3%). The MTrPs in the supraspinatus muscle were mostly 2~3 points(67.8%). The visal analogue scale(VAS) score was significantly decreased after dry acupuncture as compared with pre-treatment[(2.7±1.4) vs.(6.1±1.3), P<0.05], and the overall treatment efficiency defined as VAS score decrement by more than 50%, was 82.1%. Conclusions:The neglect of medical history inquire and physical examination, and over-reliance on imaging findings are the important factors for misdiagnosis of MTrPs in the infraspinatus muscle as CSR.