CASE REPORT
Neurology
doi: 10.25005/2074-0581-2025-27-2-503-513
A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO LONG COVID ASSOCIATED WITH MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME: A CASE REPORT

A.S. YASINSKAYA1,2, YU.O. NOVIKOV2, M.B. TSYKUNOV3,4, D.A. KIM2, A.SH. KHUZHAKHMETOVA2

1Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russian Federation
2Clinical Hospital of Emergency Medical Care of Ufa, Ufa, Russian Federation
3Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
4National Medical Research Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics named after N.N. Priorov, Moscow, Russian Federation

The development of long-term symptoms from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to persistent neurological disorders. In nearly one-third of patients, these symptoms manifest as back pain syndrome and dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The occurrence of back pain and the formation of trigger points in patients who have experienced coronavirus pneumonia are likely due to shared pathogenic mechanisms. These mechanisms may include damage to the musculoskeletal system, the development of fibrotic changes, and disruption of the neurotransmitter system. Case report: a 34-year-old male patient who contracted a new coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, resulting in community-acquired polysegmental pneumonia involving 30% of the lung. After 2.5 months, he sought medical help from a neurologist due to complaints of persistent severe back pain, rapid fatigue, an unproductive cough, and malaise following physical exertion. A neurological examination, thermographic imaging, and variouslaboratory and imaging studies were conducted. The diagnosis was post-COVID-19 condition (long COVID), associated with myofascial pain syndrome of the latissimus dorsi, occurring in the setting of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the thoracic spine. This condition included severe pain and myotonic syndrome during the exacerbation period. Additionally, the patient was diagnosed with a disorder of the autonomic nervous system at the suprasegmental level, accompanied by an asthenic syndrome in the decompensation phase.

The patient underwent drug therapy and non-drug treatments, along with a course of psychological sessions. This clinical case exemplifies postCOVID-19 condition (long COVID), associated with myofascial pain syndrome. A personalized approach and multidisciplinary treatment can significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals in this patient group.

Keywords: Myofascial pain syndrome, myofascial trigger points, low back pain, COVID-19, thermal imaging, rehabilitation treatment, case report.

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Authors' information:

Yasinskaya Anna Sergeevna,
Postgraduate Student, Department of Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation of the Bashkir State Medical University; Neurologist, Clinical Hospital of Emergency Medical Care of Ufa
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3245-5918
SPIN: 3958-1396
Author ID: 1017580
E-mail: nutta23@rambler.ru

Novikov Yuriy Olegovich,
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation of the Bashkir State Medical University
Scopus ID: 7202658565
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6282-7658
SPIN: 3412-6610
Author ID: 397063
E-mail: pronovikov@yandex.ru

Tsykunov Mikhail Borisovich,
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University; Head of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, National Medical Research Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics named after N.N. Priorov
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0994-8602
SPIN: 8298-8338
Author ID: 470288
E-mail: rehcito@mail.ru

Kim Dmitriy Anatolievich,
Radiologist, Clinical Hospital of Emergency Medical Care of Ufa
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-1926-7349
E-mail: kim_ct@mail.ru

Khuzhakhmetova Azaliya Shamilevna,
Radiologist, Clinical Hospital of Emergency Medical Care of Ufa
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6070-6422
E-mail: azalia.huzhahmetova@yandex.ru

Information about support in the form of grants, equipment, medications

The authors did not receive financial support from manufacturers of medicines and medical equipment

Conflicts of interest: No conflict

Address for correspondence:

Yasinskaya Anna Sergeevna
Postgraduate Student, Department of Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation of the Bashkir State Medical University; Neurologist, Clinical Hospital of Emergency Medical Care of U

450008, Russian Federation, Ufa, Lenin str., 3

Tel.: +7 (917) 7750245

E-mail: nutta23@rambler.ru


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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