Pain Management Procedures
Hand & Wrist Joint Injection
Hand Joint Injection
What is it?
A hand joint injection places medication into a painful finger, thumb, or wrist joint. Small joints can become painful from osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, injury, or another joint condition. The goal is to reduce inflammation and improve movement; the injection does not restore lost cartilage.
When may it be recommended?
The procedure may be considered when pain is clearly centered in a joint and simpler measures - such as activity modification, splinting, topical medication, or hand therapy - have not provided enough relief. If infection, gout, or another inflammatory condition is suspected, joint fluid may be removed for testing.
What happens?
The clinician cleans and positions the hand, then uses a very small needle to enter the joint. Ultrasound may help with tiny or difficult joints. A small volume of local anesthetic and corticosteroid is commonly used.
What should I expect?
The joint may be numb for a few hours and sore for a day or two. Rest the area as directed. Improvement may begin after several days and can last weeks or months, but response varies by joint and diagnosis.
Important risks
Risks include infection, bleeding, pain flare, skin thinning or lightening, temporary blood-sugar elevation, and injury to nearby tendon, cartilage, or nerve. Repeated injections may be limited to protect the joint and surrounding tissue.
Preparing for your injection procedure…
Your instructions will depend on the procedure. Before any injection, tell the APG team if you:
Take aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, apixaban, rivaroxaban, or another medicine or supplement that affects bleeding. Never stop a prescribed blood thinner unless the clinician who manages it and the procedure team tell you how to do so safely.
Have diabetes, glaucoma, a bleeding disorder, an active infection, fever, or recent antibiotic treatment.
Could be pregnant, have an allergy to contrast dye or local anesthetic, or have reacted to steroid injections before.
Use an implanted pacemaker, defibrillator, spinal cord stimulator, or other electrical device.
Some procedures require fasting, a medication adjustment, or a responsible adult to drive you home, especially when sedation is planned. Follow the instructions provided for your specific appointment.
After your injection procedure…
Most injections are outpatient procedures. Mild soreness, bruising, temporary numbness, or a brief increase in the usual pain can occur. Follow the activity and bandage instructions you receive. Steroid medicine may take several days to have an effect and can temporarily raise blood sugar.
Call the office promptly for increasing redness, drainage, fever, severe or rapidly worsening pain, or new numbness or weakness. Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, chest pain, sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, a severe new headache, loss of vision, stroke-like symptoms, or rapidly progressing weakness.
This information is for general education and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Not every procedure is appropriate for every patient, and results vary. Your APG care team will review your symptoms, examination, imaging, medical history, medications, and prior treatment before recommending a plan. Coverage requirements also vary by insurance plan.