Wrist & Hand Frequently Asked Questions
What is trigger finger / trigger thumb and what causes it?
Answer: It occurs when the tendon that bends the finger or thumb becomes thickened or irritated, causing it to catch or lock as it moves through its tendon sheath. While it often has no obvious cause, it is more common in people with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Can a steroid injection permanently cure carpal tunnel syndrome?
Answer: No, a steroid injection is not necessarily a permanent cure. While it can reduce inflammation and pressure around the median nerve to provide relief, symptoms can return after weeks or months.
What is the difference between De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and thumb-base arthritis?
Answer: De Quervain’s causes pain on the thumb side of the wrist over the tendons, whereas thumb-base arthritis produces deeper pain around the joint at the base of the thumb (particularly during pinching, gripping, and twisting).
Do all visible or painful finger joints need a steroid injection?
Answer: No. Not every painful or swollen finger joint is caused by osteoarthritis, and many arthritic joints cause very few symptoms. Clinicians assess whether the joint is genuinely responsible for symptoms before recommending an injection.
How does a steroid injection help wrist osteoarthritis?
Answer: Corticosteroid injected into the joint reduces inflammation and provides temporary pain relief. It does not cure osteoarthritis or repair damaged cartilage, but its purpose is to make movement and rehabilitation more comfortable.
Will a ganglion cyst aspiration permanently remove the cyst?
Answer: Not necessarily. Aspiration removes the cyst's fluid but does not remove the connection between the ganglion and the underlying joint or tendon sheath, meaning ganglion cysts can and often do return.
When might a carpal tunnel steroid injection NOT be appropriate?
Answer: Injections should not delay specialist assessment for severe carpal tunnel syndrome indicated by symptoms like constant numbness, significant weakness, or wasting of the muscles at the base of the thumb.
What are the common side effects and risks of corticosteroid injections?
Answer: Potential risks include temporary post-injection flare or pain, bruising, infection, skin color changes or thinning around the injection site, temporary blood glucose changes (especially in diabetics), allergic reactions, and uncommon damage to nearby structures.
When should I seek urgent medical advice after having an injection?
Answer: You should seek prompt medical attention if you experience increasing severe pain, significant redness or swelling, fever, or if you feel systemically unwell following the procedure.
Do I need imaging or an X-ray before getting a thumb-base arthritis injection?
Answer: Not always. While imaging can be helpful in some cases, diagnosis and treatment decisions rely heavily on the location and behavior of your pain, clinical examination, and your symptoms rather than just an X-ray.