Joint Injection - Wrist
This page contains more information on joint injections of the wrist, there are several types:
Carpal Tunnel Injection
The aim of an injection is to provide pain relief and try to prevent permanent nerve damage. It provides superior relief to splinting at 6 weeks but no long term benefit beyond 12 months.
For every 1000 patients: 13 get pain at the site for up to 3 weeks after, 20 people get change of colour of skin at the injection site that lasts weeks-months, 1 gets long term damage to the nerve, causing permanent pain and numbness.
Carpal Tunnel Injection
70% feel benefit initially
30% get long term relief
60% will ultimately go on to have surgery.
De Quervian's Tenosynovitis
For De Quervian’s tenosynovitis a steroid injection can sometimes be curative. It is better to inject within the first 6 months of onset.
Once injected ideally you would use a thumb spica to immobilise the thumb for 3-4 weeks.
Trigger Finger
For Trigger Finger a steroid injection can sometimes be curative.
Potential Side Effects
There is a low (1 in 18000) risk of infection in the joint after injection. If you experience redness, swelling and or heat in the joint plus a fever then phone your GP if in hours or attend A&E if out of hours.
Other potential side effects include: anaphylaxis, skin depigmentation, subcutaneous fat atrophy, tendon rupture, facial flushing.
Link
Please click on this box to view the Arthritis UK information leaflet on steroid injections.