What to expect from a cortisone injection for carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve is crowded at the wrist, causing tingling, numbness, burning or weakness in the hand and fingers. A clinician may use your symptoms, examination and sometimes nerve testing to guide the plan. Cortisone is placed in or near the carpal tunnel to reduce local swelling. Relief may take several days and may be temporary; the injection does not widen the tunnel or repair nerve damage that has already occurred.

Report diabetes, blood-thinning medicines, allergies, infection, pregnancy considerations and previous wrist treatment before the procedure. Follow instructions about keeping the hand elevated, protecting the wrist and moving the fingers. Avoid forceful gripping or heavy wrist loading until discomfort settles. A night wrist splint, ergonomic changes and activity breaks may reduce pressure during recovery. If symptoms ease, still attend follow-up when advised so sensation and hand strength can be checked rather than relying only on pain relief.

Contact the treating service promptly for worsening redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, fever or pain. Seek urgent care for a hand that becomes very pale or blue, sudden severe weakness, rapidly increasing swelling, breathing difficulty or facial swelling. New or progressing constant numbness, dropping objects or thumb weakness warrants timely review because prolonged nerve compression can affect function.

How advanced is the nerve compression, and is testing needed? How long should I protect the wrist? What symptoms suggest the injection has worn off? When would splinting, physiotherapy or surgery be considered?