Myofascial Pain Response to Topical Lidocaine Patch Therapy

Abstract

This is a case from a preliminary open trial to assess the efficacy of topically applied lidocaine patches as an alternative to trigger point injections for myofascial pain. We describe one case in this report that had a dramatic response to the lidocaine patch. Her pain relief increased, pain intensity decreased, and functional capacity increased. Her pain intensity and relief was measured by the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF). A quality of life measure was also included in the BPI-SF. While this was a dramatic response to this patient, it is only one case from an open-trial. The response to other patients has varied. The true clinical utility cannot be obtained from this one report, but only after the data have been analyzed from this initial trial. If the data are promising, a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial is planned.

Topical Lidocaine Patch Therapy for Myofascial Pain

“…Figures 2, 4, and 6 represent the mean score for each outcome at each time point (baseline, day 7, day 14, and day 28). Figures 3,5,7, and 8 report the mean changes in the outcome versus the baseline score at day 7, 14, and 28. The error bars represent the SEM (standard error of the mean).…”

“…The prompt and dramatic response of one patient to topical lidocaine patches was described in a prior case report. 5 This patient is a registered nurse who was actively working before and during the study. She stated that she could "tell exactly where the patch ends" and felt a "coolness" that was soothing to her trigger points in her lower back and shoulders.…”

The effect of cetylated fatty esters and physical therapy on myofascial pain syndrome of the neck

“…Topical analgesics used include lidocaine patches (5%), EMLA cream (2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine), bupivacaine MTrP injections, capsaicin cream (0.025% and 0.075%), and doxepin hydrochloride (Argoff, 2002;Affaitati et al, 2009;Dalpiaz and Dodds, 2001). Lidocaine iontophoresis (LIG) and direct current treatment of trigger points were both found to be effective treatment modalities but no difference was found if both were combined (Kaya et al, 2009).…”

Myofascial pain syndromes in the maxillofacial area: a common but underdiagnosed cause of head and neck pain

“…Chemical TP blockage with topical lidocaine 5% patches was also found to be effective in reducing average pain intensity and improving quality of life (P < 0.05), and can be used in the management of myofascial pain 12,13 .…”