Response to Comments: Trigger Point Injections (TPI)

The comment period for the Trigger Point Injections (TPI) DL39671 Local Coverage Determination (LCD) began on 8/31/23 and ended on 10/14/23. The notice period for L39671 begins on 2/15/24 and will become effective on 3/31/24. The comments below were received from the provider community. References: Arici T, Akpinar ÇK, Bilgiç AB, Köken IS. Ultrasound-guided interfascial blocks of the trapezius muscle for cervicogenic headache. Agri. 2023;35(1):16-21. Korkmaz N, Atar MÖ, Köylü SU, Aslan SG, Tezen Ö, Kesikburun S. Comparison of the efficacy of oxygen-ozone and lidocaine injections in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. Turk J Phys Med Rehab. 2023;69(3):294-302. Hamzoian H, Zograbyan V. Trigger point injections versus medical management for acute myofascial pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cureus. 2023;15(8):e43424. Anjana G, Gupta A, Kumar D, et al. Efficacy of dry needling versus transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with neck pain due to myofascial trigger points: A randomized controlled trial. Cureus. 2023;15(3):e36473. Taskiran OO, Albayrak H, Topaloglu M, Manici M, Ketenci A, Gurkan Y. Effect of ultrasound-guided rhomboid interfascial plane block on pain severity, disability, and quality of life in myofascial pain syndrome - a case series with one-year follow-up. Pain Physician. 2023;26:E815-E822. Appasamy M, Lam C, Alm J, Chadwick AL. Trigger Point Injections. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2022;33(2):307-333. Wilke J, Krause F, Vogt L, Banzer W. What is evidence-based about myofascial chains: a systematic review. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2016;97(3):454-461. Manchikanti L, Singh V, Kloth D, et al. Interventional techniques in the management of chronic pain: Part 2. Pain Physician. 2001;4(1):24-96. Scott NA, Guo B, Barton PM, Gerwin RD. Trigger point injections for chronic non-malignant musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review. Pain Med. 2009;10(1):54-69. Shah JP, Thaker N, Heimur J, Aredo JV, Sikdar S, Gerber L. Myofascial trigger points then and now: a historical and scientific perspective. PM R. 2015;7(7):746-761. CMS. National Coverage Determination (NCD) 30.3 Acupuncture and 30.3.3 Acupuncture for Chronic Lower Back Pain (cLBP). Raeissadat SA, Rayegani SM, Sadeghi F, Rahimi-Dehgolan S. Comparison of ozone and lidocaine injection efficacy vs dry needling in myofascial pain syndrome patients. J Pain Res. 2018;11:1273-1279. Alvarez DJ, Rockwell PG. Trigger points: diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 2002;65(4):653-660. Walker JW, Shah BJ. Trigger point injections: a systematic, narrative review of the current literature. SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine. 2020;2:746-752. Hegmann KT, Travis R, Andersson GBJ, et al. ACOEM Guidelines: Invasive treatments for low back disorders. JOEM. 2021;63(4):e215-e241.