Coexistence of Miyofascial Trigger Points and Cervical Disc Herniation: Which One is the Main Source of Pain?

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the coexistence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and cervical disc herniations (CDH)\udin patients with neck and upper back pain.\udMaterials and Methods: In this retrospective study, patients having only MTrPs were defined as group-1, patients having only CDH were\uddefined as group-2, patients having both MTrPs and CDH were defined as Group-3. Two hundred twenty three patients (151 females/72\udmales; mean age 38.2±10.1 years) were enrolled in this study. There were 30 patients in group 1, 46 patients in group 2, 147 patients in\udgroup 3.\udResults: Thirty eight patients had radiculopathy, 27 of them had MTrP(s). There was no significant difference in terms of CDH level\ud(p=0.275) and degree of herniation (p=0.188) between groups 2 and 3. There was no significant difference in terms of MTrP localisation\ud(p=0.684) between groups 1 and 3. There was no significant difference in terms of MTrP localisations according to CDH level and nerve root\udcompression level in groups 3.\udConclusion: MTrP and CDH coexistence is frequent. Management of the pain in the upper back region should be based on whether if the\udpain originates from MTrP, CDH or bot