Wrist Pain Treatment: Wrist Injection

Wrist pain?

A wrist joint is part of the upper limb, located between the hand and the forearm. It is made up of the distal (terminal) ends of the two forearm bones (radius and ulna) and the eight hand bones (called carpals). The wrist is also made up of ligaments (a ligament connects two bones), tendons (a tendon connects a bone to a muscle) and muscles. The wrist plays an important role in movement. It enables flexion, extension and lateral tilting movements. A inflammation or trauma which may affect one of the wrist structures already mentioned, can be at the origin of a joint pain.

What is wrist infiltration?

If, despite treatment (splinting, anti-inflammatory treatment, etc.), the pain persists, a wrist pain treatment will be indicated.

Wrist injection is a painless therapeutic procedure that involves injecting corticosteroids into the painful area.

What types of wrist pain treatment are there?

We distinguish three types wrist pain treatment :

• The world of medical imaging has made significant strides in diagnosing and understanding the human body. As one of these technologies, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers detailed images of internal structures without requiring invasive procedures. In this article, we discuss the crucial role of lumbar spine MRI in diagnosing conditions affecting the lower back. intra-articular injection : In intra-articular injection, the medication is injected into the joint. This therapeutic procedure is indicated for osteoarthritis of the wrist.
• The world of medical imaging has made significant strides in diagnosing and understanding the human body. As one of these technologies, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers detailed images of internal structures without requiring invasive procedures. In this article, we discuss the crucial role of lumbar spine MRI in diagnosing conditions affecting the lower back. periarticular injection In periarticular injection, the medication is injected around the joint. This therapeutic procedure is indicated in cases of tendonitis or cysts in the wrist joint.
• The world of medical imaging has made significant strides in diagnosing and understanding the human body. As one of these technologies, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers detailed images of internal structures without requiring invasive procedures. In this article, we discuss the crucial role of lumbar spine MRI in diagnosing conditions affecting the lower back. intra-channel injection Intra-canal injections: In intra-canal injections, the medication is injected into a narrow area where an irritated nerve passes. This therapeutic procedure is indicated in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome.

How does wrist infiltration work?

Our radiologists are experts at performing injections. The procedure takes 10 minutes.

You will lie on your back. This procedure sometimes requires a local anaesthetic.

A wrist pain treatment can be done without radioguidance: The rheumatologist locates the puncture site by simply palpating your wrist, disinfects the area of skin and then injects the product into the joint using a needle.

In the absence of sufficient visibility, this gesture will require a radiological guidance (under ultrasound or X-ray). The examination begins with a radiological examination to identify the puncture site. Radioguided injection enables continuous control of the needle's path and position. The gesture is therefore more precise and targeted.

Does it work? What are the possible results?

Efficacy is not immediate. It takes 3 to 4 days for the pain to diminish. Rest is also indicated to increase the likelihood of treatment efficacy. Despite all this, efficacy is not certain. In the event of failure, re-injection is recommended. A maximum of 3 injections is recommended. If pain persists, other therapeutic strategies will be adopted by your attending physician.

What follow-up is required after wrist infiltration and what are the risks associated with infiltration?

Wrist infiltrations are often both diagnostic and therapeutic. Not only do they relieve pain, but they also determine whether the pain actually originates in this area. If no relief is felt after the injection, it's likely that the pain has a different origin.

It's important to warn patients of potential complications, including the steroid "flare" phenomenon, which is a well-recognized complication of steroid injections. Most patients will experience increased pain within 24 to 48 hours of the injection, usually the following day. This pain may be accompanied by redness or slight swelling at the injection site. In most cases, standard treatment with analgesics, wrist elevation and ice are sufficient to manage these symptoms. Some patients may find it difficult to work under these conditions, and taking a day off is quite reasonable.

Symptomatic relief usually appears between 2 and 7 days after injection, although it may sometimes take a little longer. Symptoms may reappear as the steroid wears off.

Although most patients who experience relief do not require a second injection, additional injections may be necessary in some cases. However, we discourage patients from receiving more than 2 or 3 infiltrations in the same area, with a minimum interval of around 3 months between each injection. One of the main risks associated with frequent injections is thinning of the skin, loss of pigmentation or weakening of the tendons, which can lead to tendon ruptures.

Although infection is a very rare complication, it has been reported in a few cases per 1000 injections. For this reason, careful evaluation and appropriate follow-up are essential to ensure the safety and efficacy of treatment.