Is Masseteric Nerve Block Effective in Myofascial Pain

Comparison of the Efficacy of Different Treatment Modalities in Masseteric Myofascial Pain: Masseteric Nerve Block, Local Anesthetic Injection and Dry-needling

The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of three different treatment methods in the management of myofascial pain: masseteric nerve block (MN), trigger point injection(TrP) with local anesthetic (LA) and dry needling (DN).Study Design: 45 subjects aged 18-54 years were randomly assigned to the MN group (n= 15), LA group (n=15) and DN group (n=15).

The study sample consisted 45 patients with masseter muscle originated myofascial pain, were selected in accordance with the following criteria:

Patients were grouped according to the treatment they received: dry-needling (DN), TrP injections with local anesthetic (LA) and masseteric nerve block (MNB). Localization of the masseteric trigger points (MTPs) was based on clinician's sense and patients' expressions of pain. Local twitch response was not observable in all case. This procedure was completed by using digital palpation (1.5 Kg), and the clinical examiner's palpation was calibrated using a pressure algometer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of myofascial pain.
• Presence of at least one trigger point in masseter muscle.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Generalized muscle disorders.
• Hypersensitivity to local anesthetics.