Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
Metacarpal Small Incision for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Published on: April 5, 2024
Effectiveness of second corticosteroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome
Nigel L Ashworth1, Jeremy D P Bland
1Division Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alberta, 10230 111 Avenue, Edmonton T5G 0B7, Canada. nigel.ashworth@albertahealthservices.ca
Introduction:
A single local corticosteroid injection is an effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. No study has specifically examined the effectiveness of a second injection on relapse after primary injection.
Methods:
We identified a cohort of patients who had received an initial corticosteroid injection into 1 wrist and then, at a later date, a second injection into the same wrist. We compared the change in the Boston Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and Functional Status Scale (FSS) between first and second injections.
Results:
In 229 patients who received 2 injections the mean improvement on the SSS was 1.2 (SD = 0.8) for the first injection and 1.3 (SD = 0.9) for the second, which was not statistically significant. Improvement in FSS for the first injection was 0.4 (SD = 0.8) and 0.7 (SD = 0.8) for the second, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Second corticosteroid injections appear to be at least as effective as the first.
