When is cortisone injection recommended for carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, causing symptoms such as tingling, numbness, aching, or weakness in the hand. Cortisone placed near the carpal tunnel can reduce local swelling around the nerve. Relief may be temporary, and the injection does not widen the tunnel or reverse established nerve damage. Persistent or advanced nerve problems may need a different treatment pathway.

Tell the clinician about diabetes, blood-thinning medicine, hand weakness, pregnancy, allergies, and previous wrist injections. Keep the wrist in a neutral position at night if advised and reduce activities involving prolonged bending or forceful gripping. After an injection, follow guidance on hand use and return for review if symptoms do not improve. Read [Carpal Tunnel Syndrome](/conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/) and [Cortisone Injection](/treatments/non-surgical-orthopedics/cortisone-injection/).

Seek prompt review for worsening thumb weakness, dropping objects, constant numbness, visible muscle wasting, or symptoms spreading rapidly. Sudden weakness of the whole arm, facial changes, or difficulty speaking is an emergency. These patterns may not be explained by compression at the wrist alone.

Ask how severe the nerve compression appears, whether nerve testing is needed, and how long relief might reasonably last. Discuss splinting, physiotherapy, other treatments, injection risks, and what finding would make surgery or specialist review more appropriate.