Carpal tunnel steroid shots are injections into your wrist which can manage the most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a popular, “go-to” remedy for almost every carpal tunnel doctor. The reason is because when the shots works, the results are dramatic. But when don’t, it’s a big disappointment. 

Overall, steroid shots for carpal tunnel syndrome are effective 45% of the time. That's not a bad result, especially if you have excruciating hand or finger pain or crushing numbness. But that success rate doesn't come without risks. In other words, steroid shots should be used cautiously.

• Think you have carpal tunnel? Complimentary self-test

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If steroid injections were harmless there wouldn’t be a problem. This is why the University of Michigan Health System says such steroid injections should be used very carefully. 

This caution is due to the possible side effects of the steroid injection. Indeed, they can be severe (on rare occasion, they can be life threatening). More often, the side effects primarily include tendon weakening and bone loss (called steroid-induced osteoporosis).

In addition, steroid injection therapy is not cheap. 

• On average, injections costs $350 - $450 in a doctor’s office.
• But they cost $950 - $1,500 in a hospital or surgical center. 

Therefore, the high cost combined with the fact steroid injections don’t work for everybody is a concern. For these reasons many healthcare professionals are seriously heeding the precautions of carpal tunnel steroid shots announced by the University of Michigan.

In addition to tendon weakening and bone loss, carpal tunnel steroid shots have other side effects to consider. The more severe side effects that can result are:

• Loss of strength and movement in the tendon
• Tendon degeneration
• Tendon scarring, tearing, or rupture
• Accidental injury to the median nerve during injection
• Infection 
  

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a serious condition. It may not seem like that in the beginning. In fact, it usually starts out as just annoying pain or numbness.

But within a few months the pain and numbness can get severe. It interferes with your life and consumes every waking minute. It even robs you of a good night's sleep. You must address the issue head on, and as soon as possible.

It's all about inflammation

Carpal tunnel syndrome requires real therapy. That therapy should go to the heart of the matter: inflammation inside your wrist. Every serious therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome focuses on reducing that inflammation. Steroid injections reduce that inflammation, even if it is temporary.

Surgery, however, does not reduce inflammation. That's why carpal tunnel surgery is effective only 50% of the time. (This is based upon patient satisfaction with their results at 2 years.)

The best ways to reduce inflammation is a combination of:

• Night bracing
• Stretching exercises
• Myofascial release massage

When used daily for about 4 weeks, these combined remedies are proven to reduce inflammation. They resolve symptoms in 97% of patients.

Carpal tunnel steroid shots are used frequently by doctors to relieve symptoms. They work by reducing inflammation. And they well in about half of carpal tunnel patients. But they are not without risks. Other remedies also reduce inflammation, have a higher success rate, and have no such risks.

If steroid shots only work about half of the time, why do doctors give them?

In patients who have severe symptoms, most doctors believe getting even some relief with steroid shots is a good gamble. Anything that may reduce severe pain and numbness, even if for a few months, is seen as worthy of trying because of the low cost and ease of application.

Can I get a steroid shot and follow up with massage?

Yes, but you should first let the area of the injection site settle down - generally after a week.

How will I know if the steroid shot didn't work?

Either symptoms will not have changed appreciably after the injection (within 1-2 weeks) or else symptoms may disappear temporarily but then return in a few weeks.

Do I get a refund if the steroid shot doesn't work?

No, not usually.