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Carpal Tunnel Injection by Krisha McCoy, MS

Definition | Reasons for Procedure | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor

Definition

A carpal tunnel injection is a corticosteroid injection into the carpel tunnel area of the wrist.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Reasons for Procedure

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

What to Expect

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.

Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water. Follow your doctor's instructions .

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 an emergency, call for medical help right away.

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/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_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.

Last reviewed December 2011 by John C. Keel, MD

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