Injection
Today I have had an injection for CTS in my right wrist at Westbrook House and I have to say in spite of the nerves it was less painful than some blood tests I have had. I really hope this works. I have another appointment in April to have it in the left wrist as the pain is nowhere near that in the right. I do have one question I was recommended to wear my splint for the next 2 weeks, should I be wearing it all of the time or is night time sufficient?
Thank you. So far no side effects but it has only been a couple of hours! I am happy to wear it just at night which is what I had been doing. Many thanks again
I have no idea where people get their recommendations from for treatment sometimes, especially in respect of little peripheral issues like how to behave after a carpal tunnel injection. There is absolutely no quality evidence to suggest that any particular policy is better than another so in reality the patient's ideas on what to do are actually just as scientifically valid as the therapists, but people are still firmly told to 'do this' or 'do that'. My choice is generally to interfere with the patient's life as little as possible unless there is clearly a good reason to do so.
At some point I will set out an explicit policy for injection on the website here which hopefully all the people doing injections for us can follow, then at least we will be consistent. I just need some time to write such a document though I hopw a lot of it is already in the FAQ list. JB
I just wanted to update 6 days on form my injection in my right wrist. Although I am still wearing the splint at night just as a precaution there has been a definite improvement with regard to CTS. Usually when driving, drying my hair and using the phone I get terrible numbness and tingling in my hand but so far so good I have not been experiencing this. I once agin wish to thank to doctor who carried out the injection and although I am due to have the left wrist injected in April I do not think it is necessary as I do not have any problems with my left hand at the moment. Many thanks and I hope it lasts a while!
You did record mild symptoms in the left hand when we saw you in January - does that mean that side has improved too? If that is the case and it is not a problem you are right that there is no need to inject it. As usual it will be interesting to see how long it lasts. JB
As it stands at the moment I have no symptoms in the left hand and tonight I am going to sleep without the splint to see what happens. I have to say I was not convinced it would work but I am amazed at the difference especially since yesterday. I will update if anything changes. Thank you again
Thanks for the feedback. It's really useful to have some reports of successful treatment on here as a counterbalance to all the people who come on because they have a problem! JB
Night time only is the usual tactic but if you feel it helps at other times there is no particular reason not to wear it other than inconvenience. If you get a good response to injection then I would only continue splinting untl the symptoms have settled - then leave it off (but keep it in the bedside cabinet ready for when the problem comes back!) JB