Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel injections can help diagnose the source of pain and provide relief by delivering local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory steroid medications into the area of the median nerve in the wrist (carpal tunnel). This procedure may reduce inflammation, resulting in long-term pain relief.

Procedure Preparation

• There is very little preparation for this procedure; however, the procedure will be fully explained to you by your physician’s staff before you decide to proceed.
• Please bring any previous imaging study results (MRI, CT, x-rays) such as films, reports, or CD-ROMs, if available, to your initial appointment, if you do not have current images, we may refer you to have Studies done prior to the procedure.
• If you come by car, you will need a driver to take you home after your appointment. You will be able to go home unaccompanied via subway or taxi.
• Please notify your physician if you are nursing or if there is a chance you may be pregnant.
• Please be prepared to discuss any medications that you are currently on with our physician, or bring you medication bottles with you to your appointment.

During the Procedure – What to Expect

• X-rays are taken, and a combination of an anti-inflammatory (steroid) and anesthetic (numbing) medications are then injected for pain relief.
• You will be asked to wait 30-40 minutes after your procedure before leaving.

After the Procedure – What to Expect

• There is very little recovery time after this procedure, many patients return to work the same day.
• You may experience numbness from your symptoms for up to six hours after the injection.
• Your usual symptoms may then return and may possibly be worse than usual for a day or two.
• The beneficial effects of the steroids usually require 2-3 days to be effective, in some cases it may take as long as 5-7 days. If, after a week, there is no change in your symptoms consult with your doctor to investigate other possible causes of your pain.
• Keep track of how long relief lasts and report it to your physician. If there is no change in the pain, then investigation can be focused on other possible sources of your pain. The effects of the treatment are in important part of determining the problem and planning future treatment programs.

Possible Side Effects

Although side effects from this procedure are very rare, your physician will review any possibilities with you before your procedure. Possible side effects include facial flushing, occasional low-grade fevers, hiccups, insomnia, headaches, water retention, increased appetite, increased heart rate, and abdominal cramping or bloating. These side effects occur in less than 5% of patients and usually disappear within 1-3 days after the injection. If you experience any side effects, please feel free to contact your physician’s office at any time.