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The median nerve runs from the forearm into the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when this nerve is squeezed at the wrist as it runs through the carpel tunnel. This results in pain, weakness, tingling, or numbness in your hand and wrist. Pain may also radiate up your arm.
Steroid injections into the carpel tunnel area can help improve symptoms for three months or longer. You may not need further treatment.
Possible Complications
Complications are rare, but no procedure is risk-free. Your doctor will review a list of possible complications which may include:
- Infection
- No improvement in symptoms
Call Your Doctor
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
- Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
In case of emergency, call 911.
A carpal tunnel injection is a corticosteroid injection into the carpel tunnel area of the wrist.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
http://www.aaos.org/
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
The Arthritis Society of Canada
http://www.arthritis.ca/
College of Family Physicians of Canada
http://www.cfpc.ca/
References:
Carpal tunnel steroid injection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated July 2009. Accessed August 8, 2009.
Carpal tunnel syndrome fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpaltunnel/detailcarpal_tunnel.htm . Accessed February 28, 2007.
Joint and soft tissue injections. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/774.xml . Accessed February 28, 2007.
A carpal tunnel injection is a corticosteroid injection into the carpel tunnel area of the wrist.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
Prior to Procedure
Your doctor may ask you what medicines you take and if you have any allergies to medicines.
Anesthesia
You will be given an injection of local anesthetic to numb the area.
Description of the Procedure
Your doctor will fill a needle with corticosteroid medicine. This medicine calms inflammation. Your palm will be facing upward. The inside of your wrist will be cleaned. The needle will be inserted into the carpal tunnel area of the wrist, and the medicine will be injected.
How Long Will It Take?
A few minutes
Will It Hurt?
You may feel some pain after the anesthetic wears off.
Post-procedure Care
Your doctor will bandage the injection site. You and your doctor will discuss what to expect in the coming days.
If recommended by your doctor:
- Apply ice or a cold pack to the affected area for 15-20 minutes each time. Do not apply ice directly to your skin. First, wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel, then place it on your skin.
- Take over-the-counter pain medicine.
Follow your doctor's instructions .
