Wrist Joint Injections

Wrist injections are helpful for conditions such as wrist osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Injections around the wrist can also be given for tendon problems or for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

The technique for a wrist injection partly depends on the cause of the problem. In rheumatoid arthritis at the wrist the injection technique is made easier by the amount of boggy swelling around the joint.

If the problem in the joint is one of osteoarthritis then it can be more difficult to place the needle into the joint. Osteoarthritis (or OA) often leads to a narrowing of the space in the joint and the injection can be more tricky for this reason. In some cases of osteoarthritis the wrist injection needs to be given using an x-ray machine to guide the process.

In general the results from an injection into the wrist are good - but the benefits are not always long lasting.

Some doctors are experimenting with using viscosupplementation injections for wrist problems - injecting synvisc, supartz, ostenil or durolane into the wrist joint.