Carpal Tunnel Injection
What is carpal tunnel injection and why do I need it?
In the wrist, one of the nerves of the hand, the median nerve along with a few tendons pass through a canal called the carpal tunnel. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that includes symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness and weakness of the thumb, caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. Medications are injected into the tunnel to relieve the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The medications include steroids, which has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to relieve inflammation within the tunnel and relieve the pressure on the median nerve.
How is carpal tunnel injection done?
When you arrive for your procedure you will be taken into the exam room and asked to change into a gown. You will be asked to sit on the exam table. The wrist region to be injected is cleaned with an antiseptic solution and ultrasound is used to determine the best place to place the injection, a small needle is inserted into your wrist and local anesthetic and steroid is injected. You may feel slight discomfort or bruising after the procedure. In most cases this can be treated with ice pack application. The Carpal tunnel injection is done on an outpatient basis.
What are the risks and side effects?
The complication rate for this procedure is very low. Mild discomfort at the injection site can occur. This typically lasts for a few hours but can persist for a couple days. If this occurs, taking anti-inflammatories or pain medications and applying ice to the area reduces the pain.
How long does it take for the procedure to work?
The steroid medication begins to take effect in one to two days at which point you should start to see some benefit. The steroid effect continues to get stronger and stronger such that the peak effect occurs at about two weeks. Thereafter, the effect will stabilise and should last several weeks to months. Typically, the pain relief experienced from this procedure lasts 3-6 months, but there is significant variability from patient to patient. If and when the pain starts to return, this procedure can be repeated to try and attain some pain relief once again. On occasions, the injections might not help and you might need surgery.
Please read our FAQ section to know more about the do's and don'ts prior to and after the procedure.