Percutaneous soft tissue release performed using a blunt cannula in rabbits with chronic collagenase-induced Achilles tendinopathy.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of percutaneous soft tissue release (PSTR) performed using a blunt cannula on (1) the inflammatory cells-count, (2) expressions of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and (3) substance P (SP) in rabbits with chronic phase of collagenase-induced Achilles tendinopathy. METHODS: Thirty-two adult male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: (1) collagenase and PSTR treatment; (2) collagenase and sham-operated PSTR treatment; (3) vehicle-only injection and PSTR treatment; and (4) vehicle-only injection and sham-operated PSTR treatment. Achilles tendon of adult male rabbits was injected with 10µl of collagenase under ultrasonography localization. After 30 days, PSTR was performed using an 18G beauty cosmetic blunt tip micro cannula needle to release the soft tissue and paratenon above the inflamed Achilles tendon. The treated tendons and spinal cords of L5-S2 were harvested 5days after treatment for histological assessment and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Histopathological examination revealed that PSTR achieved significant reduction in hypercellularity with pronounced infiltration of immune cells at the site of paratenon in tendons injected with collagenase compared with sham operation (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis also showed marked decrease in expression of CGRP in tendon and SP in dorsal horns after PSTR (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed positive effects in an animal model of chronic tendinopathy, and can be considered a treatment option, but that further research is necessary to determine its role in clinical practice.

Lumbar facet injection for the treatment of chronic piriformis myofascial pain syndrome: 52 case studies.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of lumbar facet joint injection for piriformis myofascial pain syndrome. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with chronic myofascial pain in the piriformis muscle each received a lumbar facet injection into the ipsilateral L5-S1 facet joint region, using the multiple insertion technique. Subjective pain intensity, trunk extension range, and lumbar facet signs were measured before, immediately after, and 2 weeks after injection. Thirty-six patients received follow-up for 6 months. RESULTS: Immediately after the injection, 27 patients (51.9%) had complete pain subsidence, 19 patients (36.5%) had pain reduction to a tolerable level, and only 6 patients (11.5%) had no pain relief to a tolerable level. Mean pain intensity was reduced from 7.4±0.9 to 1.6±2.1 after injection (P<0.01). This effectiveness lasted for 2 weeks in 49 patients (94.2%), and lasted for approximately 6 months in 35 (97.2%) of 36 patients. The mean range of motion increased from 13.4±6.8 degrees to 22.1±6.0 degrees immediately after injection, and further increased 2 weeks and 6 months later. Immediately after injection, 45 patients (86.5%) had no facet sign. In addition, 90.4% and 94.4% of patients had no facet sign after 2 weeks and after 6 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to identify the possible cause of piriformis myofascial pain syndrome. If this pain is related to lumbar facet lesions, lumbar facet joint injection can immediately suppress piriformis myofascial pain symptoms. This effectiveness may last for at least 6 months in most patients. This study further supports the importance of eliminating the underlying etiological lesion for complete and effective relief of myofascial pain syndrome.

Percutaneous soft tissue release for treating chronic recurrent myofascial pain associated with lateral epicondylitis: 6 case studies.

Objective. The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the effectiveness of the percutaneous soft tissue release for the treatment of recurrent myofascial pain in the forearm due to recurrent lateral epicondylitis. Methods. Six patients with chronic recurrent pain in the forearm with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) due to chronic lateral epicondylitis were treated with percutaneous soft tissue release of Lin's technique. Pain intensity (measured with a numerical pain rating scale), pressure pain threshold (measured with a pressure algometer), and grasping strength (measured with a hand dynamometer) were assessed before, immediately after, and 3 months and 12 months after the treatment. Results. For every individual case, the pain intensity was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) and the pressure pain threshold and the grasping strength were significantly increased (P < 0.01) immediately after the treatment. This significant effectiveness lasts for at least one year. Conclusions. It is suggested that percutaneous soft tissue release can be used for treating chronic recurrent lateral epicondylitis to avoid recurrence, if other treatment, such as oral anti-inflammatory medicine, physical therapy, or local steroid injection, cannot control the recurrent pain.