The Korean Journal of Pain

The Korean Pain Society (대한통증학회)
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Median Nerve Injuries Caused by Carpal Tunnel Injections

  • Kim, Hyun Jung (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Sang Hyun (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2014.01.07
  • Accepted : 2014.01.26
  • Published : 2014.04.01
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Abstract

Local steroid injections are widely used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome. The median nerve injury is the most serious complication in association with carpal tunnel injections although the incidence is low. A median nerve injury will be presented with shooting pain at the injection time along with other sensory distortion, motor weakness and muscle atrophy. The management includes a conservative treatment and a surgical exploration. Carpal tunnel injections should be used at a minimum only. If such steroid injection is required, an appropriate needle positioning is vital for the nerve injury prevention. The patient should not be heavily sedated and should be encouraged to inform experiences of numbness/paresthesia during the procedure immediately.

Keywords

References

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