Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and the correlation between the number of MTrPs and pain and function in patients presenting knee pain osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional study. The prevalence of MTrPs located in tensor fasciae latae, hip adductors, hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius, and popliteus muscles was studied in 114 patients (71 men and 43 women) with knee OA. Pain and functionality were assessed with a numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), the Western Ontario, McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, the Barthel Index, and the timed up and go test. Results: The prevalence of latent MTrPs was detected via palpation and was estimated to be 50%, 35%, 25%, 29%, 33%, and 12% for tensor fasciae latae, hip adductors, hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius, and popliteus muscles, respectively. The prevalence of active MTrPs was estimated to be 11%, 17%, 30%, 18%, 25%, and 17% for tensor fasciae latae, hip adductors, hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius, and popliteus muscles, respectively. Pain was measured with the NPRS scale and was poorly correlated with the prevalence of latent MTrPs (r = 0.2; p = 0.03) and active MTrPs (r = 0.23; p = 0.01) in the hamstrings. Disability was moderately correlated with the number of latent MTrPs in the tensor fasciae latae muscle (Barthel, r = 0.26; p = 0.01 and WOMAC, r = 0.19; p = 0.04). Conclusions: This secondary analysis found that the prevalence of the MTrPs varied from 11% to 50% in different muscles of patients with mild to moderate painful knee osteoarthritis. Pain was correlated poorly with the prevalence of latent and active MTrPs in the hamstring muscles, and disability correlated moderately with the number of latent MTrPs in tensor fasciae latae.
Highlights
In Europe osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of chronic pain (34%) reported, and has a high economic and social burden on society [1]
Pain was measured with the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) scale and correlated poorly with the prevalence of latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) (r = 0.2; p = 0.03) and active MTrPs (r = 0.23; p = 0.01) in the hamstring muscles
The current secondary analysis was focused on the prevalence of MTrPs and the correlation between the number of MTrPs and pain and function in patients presenting knee pain OA
Summary
In Europe osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of chronic pain (34%) reported, and has a high economic and social burden on society [1]. This burden is growing as the population increases in number and in age. The population with knee OA progressively experiences an increase in pain and difficulty in performing the tasks of daily life [3]. The overall prevalence was estimated at 3.8%, being higher in women (4.8%) than in men (2.8%) [4]. In Spain it is estimated that 10% of the general population has characteristic symptoms of knee OA [5,6]
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