Mechanical pain sensitivity of deep tissues in children - possible development of myofascial trigger points in children
Open Access
- 8 February 2012
- journal article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Vol. 13 (1), 13
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-13-13
Abstract
It is still unclear when latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) develop during early life. This study is designed to investigate the mechanical pain sensitivity of deep tissues in children in order to see the possible timing of the development of latent MTrPs and attachment trigger points (A-TrPs) in school children. Five hundreds and five healthy school children (age 4- 11 years) were investigated. A pressure algometer was used to measure the pressure pain threshold (PPT) at three different sites in the brachioradialis muscle: the lateral epicondyle at elbow (site A, assumed to be the A-TrP site), the mid-point of the muscle belly (site B, assumed to be the MTrP site), and the muscle-tendon junction as a control site (site C). The results showed that, for all children in this study, the mean PPT values was significantly lower (p < 0.05) at the assumed A-TrP site (site A) than at the other two sites, and was significantly lower (p < 0.05) at the assumed MTrP site (site B) than at the control site (site C). These findings are consistent if the data is analyzed for different genders, different dominant sides, and different activity levels. It is concluded that a child had increased sensitivity at the tendon attachment site and the muscle belly (endplate zone) after age of 4 years. Therefore, it is likely that a child may develop an A-Trp and a latent MTrP at the brachioradialis muscle after the age of 4 years. The changes in sensitivity, or the development for these trigger points, may not be related to the activity level of children aged 7-11 years. Further investigation is still required to indentify the exact timing of the initial occurrence of a-Trps and latent MTrPs.This publication has 48 references indexed in Scilit:
- Uncovering the Biochemical Milieu of Myofascial Trigger Points Using In Vivo MicrodialysisJournal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 2008
- Experimental Model of Trigger Points Using Eccentric ExerciseJournal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 2008
- Floating Kidney with Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome in the AbdominalMuscles as the Major Clinical Manifestation: A Case ReportJournal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 2008
- Research on Myofascial Pain SyndromeCritical Reviews in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 2008
- Teres Minor Tendinitis Manifested with Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome in the Scapular Muscles: A Case ReportJournal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 2006
- Scientific Aspects and Clinical Signs of Muscle PainJournal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 2004
- Trigger Points in Patients with Lower Limb OsteoarthritisJournal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 2001
- Distribution of Active Loci in Rat Skeletal MuscleJournal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 1999
- Current Research on Myofascial Trigger Points–Pathophysiological StudiesJournal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 1999
- Prevalence of Spontaneous Electrical Activity at Trigger Spots and at Control Sites in Rabbit Skeletal MuscleJournal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 1995