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Trigger Point Injections After Anterior Cervical Surgery

This study is looking at whether trigger point injections can help reduce pain after anterior cervical surgery (neck surgery). After surgery, some patients experience stiffness and pain in the back of their neck. This pain, called myofascial pain, is thought to come from the neck and shoulder muscles. Researchers are testing if injecting bupivacaine or normal saline into these "trigger points" (tender areas) helps. A control group will receive a small lidocaine skin injection, but not a trigger point injection, to help keep everyone unaware of which treatment they are receiving. The main goal is to see how much opioid pain medication patients use in the first 6, 12, and 24 hours after these injections. You may be able to join if you are an adult having elective anterior cervical surgery and do not have certain allergies or long-term opioid use. The study plans to enroll 60 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 60 participants. It compares trigger point injections with bupivacaine or normal saline to a lidocaine skin injection.
What's involved
You would receive a trigger point injection or a lidocaine skin injection within an hour of waking up from general anesthesia after your surgery.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your opioid consumption will be measured for 24 hours after the injection.

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NCT04640896

Trigger Point Injections in Anterior Cervical Surgery

Completed
PHASE4Ages 18+InterventionalTreatment
George Washington University
~60 participants
Updated 2026-08-13 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Trigger point injection with bupivacaineTrigger point injection with normal salineLidocaine skin wheal

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Opioid Consumption in the First 6 Hour Period After Intervention (Trigger Point Injection/Sham)
Measured over 6 hours after intervention
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Myofacial Pain
Pain, Neck
Pain, Back
Cervical Fusion

Explore related trials

Back PainFused cervical vertebraeMyofascial painNeck Pain

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
District of Columbia1

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Elective anterior cervical surgery

Exclusion

Emergency surgery
Local anesthetic allergy
Long term opioid usage (not including tramadol and codeine)
Intra-operative complication (e.g. unstable cervical spine)

What this trial measures

  • Opioid Consumption in the First 6 Hour Period After Intervention (Trigger Point Injection/Sham)6 hours after intervention

    Milligrams morphine equivalents (MME)

  • Opioid Consumption in the First 12 Hour Period After Intervention (Trigger Point Injection/Sham)12 hours after intervention

    Milligrams morphine equivalents (MME)

  • Opioid Consumption in the First 24 Hour Period After Intervention (Trigger Point Injection/Sham)24 hours after intervention

    Milligrams morphine equivalents