Evaluation of Pain Quality in Young Swimmers Suffering From Myofascial Pain Syndrome Using Lidocaine Phonophoresis

Forty five males athletic swimmer children (10 to 14 years old) with MPS in the upper trapezius muscle were evaluated before and after treatment. They were randomly divided into three groups, n=15 children each. A (control), B and C (study groups). The three groups received spatial designed physical therapy program. The two study groups received pulsed ultrasound and lidocaine phonophoresis repectively. The duration of treatment was 40 minutes, three times / weeks for three successive months.

Inclusion criteria

• Age range from 10 to 14 years.
• All children have regional neck pain complaint.
• Tenderness in cervical trigger points in the midpoint of the upper border of trapezius muscle, from grade II to grade IV according to tenderness grading scheme (Hubbard and Berkoff, 1993) (Appendix I )
• The diagnosis of an active MTrP in the upper trapezius according to (Ardiçet al . , 2002 and Bruno, 2005):
• Patients suffered from active MTrPs in the upper trapezius.
• Tender spots in one or more palpable taut bands.
• A typical pattern of referred pain distributed in the ipsilateral, posterolateral cervical paraspinal area, mastoid process or temporal area
• Palpable or visible local twitch response on snapping palpation at the most sensitive spot in the taut band.
• Restricted range of motion in lateral bending of the cervical spine to the opposite side.
• Palpation of a trigger point elicits a stereotypic zone of referred pain specific to that muscle.
• Identification of a palpable taut band, as well as a palpable, and exquisitely tender spot along the length of that taut band.
• All children allowed to practice their regular sport activities.

Exclusion criteria

• Neurological disorders.
• Dermatological disorders.
• Acute trauma prior to the study.
• Fibromyalgia, systemic disease and drug allergy history were excluded from the study.
• Having myofascial trigger points injection.
• Chronic pain in both sides of the body.
• History of findings of cervical injury whether orthopedic or soft tissue injury