Trapezius Muscle Injection
Why do I need a trapezius muscle injection?
The trapezius is a broad triangular muscle which attaches to the base of the skull, and lies at the back of the neck, over the upper shoulders and extends down your upper back to your mid back.
The trapezius muscles are the only muscles, which can lift the outside of your shoulders to create a “shrug”. They move the head and neck toward the shoulder of the other side. The middle of the muscles pulls the shoulder blades together, while the lower draw the shoulder blades downward. They support the weight of the arms. It is one of the most likely muscles to get sore knots or “trigger points”. The pain is usually localised in the neck or in the shoulder.
Injection of local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory medicine into the trapezius muscle will reduce the pain and relaxes the muscle.
How is a trapezius muscle injection performed and what are the complications?
Trapezius muscle injection is done under ultrasound guidance on a day surgery basis. In the procedure room you will be asked to lie on your tummy and muscle is identified using an ultrasound, most painful spot is identified and injection is performed with a fine needle. These trigger point injections should be followed by daily stretching exercises to get a long-term benefit.
Injection site pain/soreness is the most common complication, which is self-limiting. Other complications like bleeding and infection are very rare. Please read our FAQ section to know more about the do's and don'ts prior to and after the procedure.