Corticosteroid Injections for Hands in Harrison, NY
Pain and inflammation in the hands can affect your day-to-day life, making everyday activities difficult and uncomfortable.
Specialty Orthopaedics offers corticosteroid injections to treat various hand conditions for rapid relief. Our expert team is here to help you regain functionality in your hands with these simple treatments that make a big difference.
What Are Corticosteroid Injections?
Corticosteroid injections have been used for decades to temporarily relieve pain and inflammation in joints and soft tissues and relieve systemic inflammatory reactions.
These injections work by sending corticosteroids directly into the inflamed areas. They mimic natural hormones your adrenal glands produce, stopping the cells and chemicals that cause inflammation. This means they can quickly calm down irritation and swelling so you feel better faster.
The advantage to injecting corticosteroid medication rather than taking it orally is that it’s delivered more quickly to the affected area and often has more effective results.
What Hand Conditions Do Corticosteroid Injections Treat?
Corticosteroid injections in the hand can temporarily treat various conditions characterized by inflammation and pain. They’re often given as part of a rehabilitation program to help patients perform physical therapy exercises with less discomfort. Here are some specific conditions in the hand these injections can help manage:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: These injections relieve pain and swelling, reducing the pressure on the median nerve in the wrist.
- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: This condition affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, and corticosteroid injections can help reduce the tendon sheath inflammation.
- Trigger Finger: Also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, corticosteroid injections can help alleviate the catching or locking of the finger or thumb, making movement smoother.
- Osteoarthritis: In the small joints of the hand, such as the knuckles, corticosteroids can decrease joint pain and improve function.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: These injections can control flare-ups in specific joints of the hand, providing temporary relief from pain and swelling.
If successful, you can repeat these injections as needed. Corticosteroid injections can also help pinpoint the source of the pain, determine its severity, and help your physician develop an appropriate treatment plan.
The Corticosteroid Injection Procedure
Your prescribing doctor usually administers corticosteroid injections in an outpatient facility. The injection procedure takes only a few minutes. Although the steroids are not analgesics, they alleviate pain by reducing inflammation.
In most cases, you’ll experience immediate pain relief from the anesthetic, which is temporary and wears off in a few hours.
During the next day or two, however, as the corticosteroid reduces inflammation, you should feel a significant, if not total, reduction in pain. You can usually resume normal activities the day following the procedure.
Risks of Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections are safe for most patients. As with all medical procedures, however, complications can occur. In rare instances, patients who have received corticosteroid injections have experienced headaches, bleeding, infections, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, and nerve damage.
This treatment should not be given to patients who are pregnant or have a bleeding disorder or an infection. Corticosteroids can temporarily elevate blood pressure and blood sugar and affect mood. Doctors should monitor patients with hypertension, diabetes, or mood disorders before, during, and after treatment.
Why Choose Specialty Orthopaedics?
Dr. Valdet Nikci is our esteemed orthopaedic hand and upper extremity surgeon at Specialty Orthopaedics. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, he completed an orthopaedics residency at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson and a fellowship in hand, upper extremity, and microvascular surgery at Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Nikci specializes in both nonoperative and minimally invasive techniques and has worked with professional athletes and teams such as the New York Yankees.
What truly makes us stand out is our focus on your overall experience and recovery. Our approach is all about minimizing your downtime and maximizing your functional recovery. We don’t just treat conditions – we ensure your recovery process is as smooth, fast, and comfortable as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Quickly Can I Expect to Feel Improvements After the Injection?
Many patients feel relief within a few days after the injection as the corticosteroid reduces inflammation. You should feel the full benefits of the injection within a week.
How Long Will the Results From Corticosteroid Injections Last?
The duration of relief varies based on the condition being treated, the specific area of the body, and individual patient factors. Generally, the relief from pain and inflammation can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Some patients may experience substantial long-term relief, while others might find the effects are more short-lived.
The injections can be repeated if the symptoms recur, but your doctor will monitor the frequency and number of injections to avoid potential side effects from excessive use. For many patients, these injections are part of a broader treatment plan that might include physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes to manage their condition effectively.
What Should I Do to Prepare for a Corticosteroid Injection?
Before receiving a corticosteroid injection, you may need to avoid certain medications like blood thinners. Stay hydrated, and inform your doctor about all current medications and health conditions. Follow your provider’s specific to ensure the best possible outcome.
Is There Any Follow-Up Care Required After a Corticosteroid Injection?
After the injection, you might need to monitor the site for signs of infection or unusual reactions. Your doctor may schedule a follow-up appointment to make sure the treatment is working and decide on further management strategies.
Are Corticosteroid Injections Painful?
Patients typically experience minimal pain during the procedure, thanks to the local anesthetic. You may have some discomfort once the anesthetic wears off, but it should go away within a day or two as the corticosteroid begins to reduce inflammation.
Can Lifestyle or Dietary Changes Enhance the Effectiveness of Corticosteroid Injections?
While lifestyle and dietary changes alone cannot replace medical treatment, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, and regular physical activity can complement corticosteroid injections.
Can Corticosteroid Injections Interact With Other Medications?
Corticosteroid injections can interact with medications like NSAIDs, blood thinners, and certain diabetes medications. Discuss all your current medications with your doctor to avoid potential interactions.
Schedule Your Appointment Today in Harrison, NY
If you’re interested in corticosteroid injections in the hand, visit Specialty Orthopaedics. Our New York orthopedic practice is home to a team of fellowship-trained orthopedists in a variety of specialty areas. We offer comprehensive treatment for musculoskeletal disorders in a caring and responsive clinical atmosphere. Give us a call at 914-686-0111 or fill out the form on this page to schedule your appointment today.
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