title: The prevalence of latent myofascial trigger points and diagnostic criteria of the triceps surae and upper trapezius: a cross sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), specific diagnostic criteria and the association between gender and MTrP prevalence in the triceps surae and upper trapezius.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and twenty healthy volunteers (132 females and 88 males; mean age 29.7 (SD 11.0).
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence of latent MTrPs in the triceps surae and comparative upper trapezius; specific diagnostic criteria and pressure pain threshold (PPT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Latent MTrPs were prevalent in all triceps surae (range: 13 to 30%), left upper trapezius (23%) and right upper trapezius (20%). No MTrPs (0%) identified in the middle fibres of deltoid. For each specific diagnostic criterion, taut bands were most prevalent in the right gastrocnemius medial head (81%); tender spot in left gastrocnemius medial head (52%) and nodules in the right upper trapezius (35%). Local twitch response (0.5%), the least frequent diagnostic criterion was only found in the left gastocnemius medial head. A significant increase in latent MTrP prevalence for females compared to males in five of the six triceps surae MTrP sites, with no significant association for gender and latent MTrP prevalence in the left or right upper trapezius.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study established the prevalence of latent MTrPs, specific diagnostic criteria and baseline normative data in the triceps surae. The middle fibres of deltoid were identified as a potential MTrP control site for future clinical research in the upper limb.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of England, Glenside Campus, Blackberry Hill, Bristol BS16 1DD, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Rob.Grieve@uwe.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grieve
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.forename: Nikki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Coghill
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cramp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Diagnostic criteria; Latent myofascial trigger points; Prevalence; Triceps surae