Glucocorticoid injections into myofascial trigger points to treat knee osteoarthritis.

Clinical Study of Myofascial Trigger Points(MTrPs) Injection in the Treatment of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain(CMP), Chronic Migraine and Cervicogenic Headache

This study will test whether injecting corticosteroid into myofascial trigger points reduces pain and improves function for adults 45 and older with knee osteoarthritis.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 1036 (estimated)
• Ages: 45 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Beijing Tiantan Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality)
• Trial ID: NCT07347028 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, randomized, blinded-outcome, non-inferiority trial comparing glucocorticoid injections at myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) with complex intra-articular (joint cavity) injections for knee osteoarthritis. Eligible patients are randomized to one of the two injection approaches and followed for two years. Pain (NRS), joint function (WOMAC), and other clinical outcomes are collected at prespecified intervals to compare long-term efficacy. The trial is single-center and conducted at Beijing Tiantan Hospital.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 45 or older with radiographic knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1–4), disease lasting more than 3 months, an NRS pain score ≥3 despite conservative treatment, and at least one clinically confirmed myofascial trigger point who can give informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients with corticosteroid allergy, recent intra-articular injection, long-term steroid use, significant comorbidities (severe organ dysfunction, coagulation disorders, inflammatory rheumatic disease), substance misuse, or other exclusion criteria are unlikely to benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could achieve similar or better long-term pain relief and function with a simpler, potentially less invasive MTrP injection approach.

How similar studies have performed: Smaller domestic and international studies have reported symptom relief from glucocorticoid injections at MTrPs, but long-term randomized comparisons versus intra-articular injections remain limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis with radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-4) confirmed by at least two orthopedic surgeons, pain specialists, or general practitioners, with physical examination confirming at least one myofascial trigger point;
* Disease duration exceeding 3 months;
* Age ≥ 45 years;
* Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 3 points despite prior conservative pharmacological treatment;
* Signed informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of allergy to trial medications such as corticosteroids;
* Alcohol abuse; long-term use of opioids (exceeding 2 weeks or more than 3 days per week for over 1 month); suspected use of sedative or analgesic medications; patients on long-term steroid therapy;
* Severe neurological disorders, significant hepatic or renal dysfunction, heart failure, coagulation abnormalities, gastric ulcer, diabetes, inflammatory rheumatic diseases, etc.;
* Intra-articular injection within the past 6 months or planned joint replacement surgery;
* Inability to use pain assessment scales;
* Presence of local or systemic infection;
* Pregnant or lactating patients.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Beijing Municipality

• Beijing Tiantan Hospital — Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Fang Luo

Conditions Myofascial Trigger Points; Migraine; Cervicogenic Headache; Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain