Location of Trigger Points in a Group of Police Working Dogs: A Preliminary Study

This study examined the percentage and location of trigger points in police working dogs. Twelve dogs housed at a military police kennel were selected through convenience sampling. Only active dogs with no comorbidities or radiographic changes doing 6 hours of intense physical activity per day were included. After orthopedic and neurological examination, dogs were palpated for the detection of trigger points (TPs), carried out by two independent examiners, with criteria of palpations previously standardized. TPs were recorded using an anatomy reference image according to the corresponding anatomical location. The percentage of TPs was highest in the lumbar portion of the longissimus dorsi muscle (42%), followed by the latissimus dorsi, pectineus, quadriceps femoris, and sartorius (33%) muscles. Most TPs were located on the right side of the body. This study's percentage of TPs in police working dogs was higher in spinal and hind limb muscles, especially on the right side. The major criteria for identifying TPs in dogs were the pain responses to palpation and contractile local response. The findings of this study could be used to refine myofascial pain prevention to reduce early retirement due to musculoskeletal pain and draw attention to this kind of problem that can also affect dogs.

Central Sensitization and Chronic Pain Personality Profile: Is There New Evidence? A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

Personality traits are relevant for pain perception in persistent pain disorders, although they have not been studied in depth in sensitized and nonsensitized patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

OBJECTIVE

To explain and compare the personality profile of patients with OA, with and without central sensitization (CS), and fibromyalgia (FM).

SETTING

Participants were selected at the Rheumatology Department in two major hospitals in Spain.

PARTICIPANTS

Case-control study where the sample consists of 15 patients with OA and CS (OA-CS), 31 OA without CS (OA-noCS), 47 FM, and 22 controls. We used a rigorous and systematic process that ensured the sample strictly fulfilled all the inclusion/exclusion criteria, so the sample is very well delimited.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Personality was assessed by the Temperament and Character Inventory of Cloninger.

RESULTS

The percentile in harm-avoidance dimension for the FM group is higher compared to OA groups and controls. The most frequent temperamental profiles in patients are cautious, methodical, and explosive. Patients with FM are more likely to report larger scores in harm-avoidance, with an increase in logistic regression adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) between 4.2% and 70.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

Harm-avoidance seems to be the most important dimension in personality patients with chronic pain, as previously found. We found no differences between OA groups and between sensitized groups, but there are differences between FM and OA-noCS, so harm-avoidance might be the key to describe personality in patients with CS rather than the presence of prolonged pain, as found in the literature before.

Effects on Neuromuscular Function After Ischemic Compression in Latent Trigger Points in the Gastrocnemius Muscles: A Randomized Within-Participant Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in neuromuscular function, pain perception, and basic physical properties in latent myofascial trigger points (TrPs) after a single treatment session of ischemic compression in the gastrocnemius muscle.

METHODS

A randomized within-participant clinical trial with a blinded assessor was conducted. Twenty-nine asymptomatic volunteers with latent gastrocnemius-muscle TrPs were bilaterally explored. Each extremity was randomly assigned to the control group (no treatment) or the experimental group (90 seconds of ischemic compression over each TrP). Neuromuscular function of the gastrocnemius muscle was assessed using a MyotonPro. Muscle flexibility was analyzed using the lunge test and the passive ankle range of motion. The strength was determined with a handheld dynamometer (MicroFET2). Pain perception was analyzed with a 0-to-10 numerical pain rating scale and determination of pressure pain thresholds over each latent TrP.

RESULTS

The results revealed a reduction of 15.8% in pain perception and an increment of pressure tolerance of 9.9% without pain in the treatment group. Changes in muscle flexibility (active and passive) and most parameters for neuromuscular response (rigidity, elasticity, and relaxation) were also observed, but they were not significantly different between groups. The clinical effect sizes were moderate for pain perception (d = 0.69), pressure pain threshold (d = 0.78), muscle tone (d = 0.51), and elasticity (d = 0.54) in favor of the treated extremity. Small clinical effect sizes were observed for muscle physical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The present study shows that the use of a single session of ischemic compression for latent gastrocnemius-muscle TrPs improved some sensory outcomes. The effects on ankle range of motion and neuromuscular responses were inconclusive.

Injuries, Pain, and Catastrophizing Level in Gymnasts: A Retrospective Analysis of a Cohort of Spanish Athletes

Physical and psychological demands from gymnastics increase the occurrence of injuries and pain among athletes, whose consequent level of catastrophizing could affect rehabilitation and performance. Although the characteristics of each gymnastics discipline may be key factors, they remain unclear. This study aimed to describe injuries, pain, and catastrophizing levels of gymnasts, according to their discipline and training characteristics. A total of 160 gymnasts fulfilled an online survey at the end of the 2021 season. Eighty gymnasts sustained 106 injuries (mainly ankle), and 128 had current pain (mainly low back). Although results were similar among disciplines, rhythmic gymnasts had a higher prevalence of low back pain (p = 0.003) and artistic wrist pain (p = 0.011). Gymnasts who sustained an injury displayed higher hours of training (p = 0.026), and those with current pain had more sports experience (p = 0.001) and age (p < 0.001). A higher catastrophizing level was observed in injured gymnasts and correlated with pain level (p < 0.001). No other differences were found (p > 0.05). Pain and injury prevalence is extremely high among gymnasts, being specific to the gymnastics discipline and increasing catastrophizing experience. Hours of training, age, and sports experience are key related factors, regardless of discipline.

Depression levels and symptoms in athletes with chronic gastrocnemius myofascial pain: A case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the influence of depression symptoms and levels in athletes with gastrocnemius myofascial pain with respect to healthy athletes. In addition, to determine a prediction model for kinesiophobia symptoms based on descriptive data and gastrocnemius myofascial pain presence.

DESIGN

Secondary case-control.

SETTING

Outpatient clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

A sample of 50 athletes was recruited and divided into athletes with chronic gastrocnemius myofascial pain (n = 25) and healthy athletes (n = 25).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Depression symptoms scores and levels were self-reported by athletes using the Beck Depression Inventory - II (BDI-II).

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences for depression symptoms scores (P = 0.011) with a moderate effect size (d = 0.77) and depression levels (P = 0.036) were found between both groups showing greater depression symptoms and levels in athletes with gastrocnemius myofascial pain (13.00 ± 13.50 points; range from 0 to 28 points) versus healthy athletes (4.00 ± 7.00 points; range from 0 to 19 points). Higher depression symptoms scores of BDI-II were only predicted by the presence of gastrocnemius myofascial pain in athletes (R² = 0.134; β = +5.360; F_[1,48] = 7.428; P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Greater depression symptoms and levels were exhibited for athletes with gastrocnemius myofascial pain compared to healthy athletes. In addition, depression score of athletes was only predicted by the presence of gastrocnemius myofascial pain.