Elbow, wrist, hand, finger and thumb injections



Elbow

injections into the elbow can be used to target areas such as the lateral and medial epicondyles and their associated common extensor and flexor tendons (tennis and golfers elbow). this can be a beneficial option if rehabilitation and ergonomic adjustments have not provided relief from pain. in order to ensure accuracy, an ultrasound scan should be used to guide the needle to the area of tendon damage or to the bone/ tendon interface (enthesitis). Although elbow degeneration (osteoarthritis) is not common in this area, it may be necessary to perform an intra-articular injection into the joint capsule. depending on the affected area, the injection may be placed in several different locations.

Wrist & Hand Injection

For the wrist and hand, which have a complex anatomy of bones, joints, tendons and nerves, injections should be targeted at the specific area of pain or pathology. this should be determined by physical examination and ultrasound scan and may target the various joint complexes in the area.

  • Radiocarpal wrist joint injection

  • Ulnocarpal wrist joint injection

  • Distal radioulnar joint injection

  • Scapholunate joint injection

  • Scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal joint (STT) injection


Due to the limited space of the wrist and hand joints, a corticosteroid injection inside the joint is usually quite successful in managing pain and inflammation caused by degenerative osteoarthritis or injury. Often, tenosynovitis, which is a problem with the tendon and tendon sheath, is the root of the discomfort and is caused by repetitive movements or trauma. To reduce swelling and pain in the tendon sheath, the injection should be administered in the area between the tendon and sheath under ultrasound guidance.

Moreover, nerve-related issues such as tingling, numbness, or pins and needles accompanying the pain, may be due to irritation or compression of the nerves located in the region. Ultrasound-guided injection of corticosteroids is typically effective in treating carpal tunnel syndrome, the most prevalent neuropathy in the wrist and hand.

Finger & Thumb Injection

Hands

Injections for the fingers and thumbs usually fall into two varieties. The first type is a targeted injection to a painful or swollen joint of the finger or thumb, usually due to degenerative change or osteoarthritis. In order to accurately place a needle within the joint, ultrasound guidance is needed. This type of injection may also be used after a sprain or trauma to the joint, making a corticosteroid intra-articular injection a useful procedure. through ultrasound guidance, injections can be targeted to the finger or thumb joints. These may include:

  • Carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) finger or thumb injection

  • Metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) finger or thumb injection

  • Interphalangeal joint (IPJ) finger or thumb injection

The second kind of condition that can be addressed through a finger or thumb injection is swelling or inflammation of the tendons, or more commonly, the tendon sheaths or tendon pulleys. One of the most common issues in this area is called trigger finger or trigger thumb; an injection is an effective treatment for this and other similar issues, such as tenosynovitis in the finger or thumb.