After Trigger Point Injection

You had a trigger point injection.  Your health care provider injected a small amount of local anesthetic and / or steroid into the muscle(s) where you have pain.  As you recover, follow the instructions below.

Activity

• Do not drive or operate heavy equipment. You will need someone else to drive you home.

• Take it easy the rest of the day.  Avoid lifting heavy objects, pullling and pushing activities.

• You may return to normal activity tomorrow.

• Stretch the muscles in the area(s) injected and or go to your physical therapy appointments.

Home Care

• It is normal to have tingling, warm sensations, heaviness or numbness at the injection site.

• It is normal to have pain or tenderness at the injection site for 2-3 hours after the anesthetic wears off. You can use ice today to help ease the discomfort.  If the pain continues tomorrow, you can use ice or moist heat to relieve the pain. Follow these instructions:

  • Apply ice or moist heat to the injection site for 20 minutes

  • Remove the ice or moist heat for 20 minutes

  • Repeat this process as needed

When to call your health care provider                                               

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Chest pain and shortness of breath

• Fever above 100.4°F (38.0°C)

• Chills

• Increasing redness, tenderness, or swelling at the injection site

• Drainage from the injection site

• Signs of an allergic reaction:

  • Sudden or increased shortness of breath

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Swelling or rash at the injection site