Myofascial Pain Syndrome and SARS-CoV-2: A Case Series

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus that has caused a plethora of dysfunctions and changes in the human body. Our goal in this case study series was to demonstrate the relationship that coronavirus has had in newly diagnosing patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MFPS). Medical records were obtained from a pain clinic that demonstrated the effects of this virus on patients who developed MFPS between March 2020 and December 2020. Chart reviews were performed and demonstrated patients who had a history of chronic pain had subsequent episodes of worsening exacerbations of pain, more specifically trigger points, after being diagnosed with coronavirus. MFPS and SARS-CoV-2 are proposed to be correlated amongst chronic pain patients. Potential pathological mechanisms include coronavirus-induced hypoxic muscle dysfunctions as well as psychological stress triggering pain receptors, leading to myofascial pain syndrome.

Lay abstract

COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, may cause many problems and changes in the human body. In this case series, we propose a relationship between COVID-19 and myofascial pain syndrome (MFPS), a kind of chronic muscle pain affecting connective tissue in the muscles. Medical records of people who developed MFPS after a diagnosis of COVID-19 between March 2020 and December 2020 were obtained from a pain clinic. Chart reviews demonstrated that the three people with chronic pain included in this case series had episodes of worsening pain, more specifically in focal points, after being diagnosed with COVID-19. COVID-19 is suggested to have affected the development of MFPS in these chronic pain patients. Potential mechanisms of this relationship include different types of stress leading to MFPS.

Keywords::

• coronavirus and pain
• COVID-19 and myofascial pain
• COVID-19 side effects
• long-term COVID-19 complications
• myofascial pain syndrome

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved. The authors state that they have obtained verbal and written informed consent from the patient/patients for the inclusion of their medical and treatment history within this case report.