If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor may prescribe ice, rest, a splint and oral medicine such as Advil to reduce inflammation and control the pain. If these measures fail to ease your pain, you may have a more advanced case and it’s time to consider another treatment, such as steroid injections.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel pain comes from pressure on a nerve that stretches from the forearm to the palm of your hand. It’s caused by repetitive motion that inflames tendons in the tunnel that, in turn, press on the nerve and cause pain. This syndrome is usually seen in assembly workers and data entry staff who report a tingling or numbness and pain in the hand and wrist. It can also cause a shooting pain along the arm.

Steroid Injections

Together, you and your doctor may decide to treat carpal tunnel pain with steroid injections directly into the tendons. Steroids work to reduce inflammation, which then eases pressure on the nerve. Steroid shots can be effective in controlling inflammation for several months.

If you have carpal tunnel pain and want to avoid surgery, steroid injections give you an effective means of managing the symptoms. Injections provide only temporary relief, however; surgery may be required in advanced cases. For more information about steroid injections, contact Specialists in Pain Management at 423-698-0850.