shot in hand | Arthritis Information

Has anyone here ever had to get a cortisone shot in their finger at the base where it meets the hand?

I am going to have one next week as I am having problems. My RD upped my mtx and I am on Humira but my fingers/hands are bothering me more than usual with specific pain at the base of my index finger where it meets the hand.

I have had the shots in shoulder and hips but never in such a small area. They did not hurt bad but am a little squeamish about this shot.

Any info?

Karen

Hi Karen, yes I have had one in that spot, I have to be honest and tell you it was very painful but I guess it depends on the amount of swelling etc, maybe yours won't be as painful. It did fix the problem though and that was very painful, hugs Janie. snowpeak, way before being diagnosed, in about 2002 I had a carpal tunnel attack (hmmm a symptom of RA), and was referred by my Cleveland Clinic Florida internist to their hand surgeon, who immediately said I had to have double CT surgery. Then he had me do that nerve test where they stick these long needles into you and "listen" to static to figure out something. After the third needle, I stopped the test it was so painful and said they had "heard" enough. Plus I declined the surgery as I thought it wasn't CT. It was, but it was caused by my undiagnosed RA. Plus they billed the insurance company for all 20 listening tunes, when only 3 were performed. I digress, but I really have nothing good to say about CCFL.

The test immediately threw my right thumb into a cocked position, as the middle joint froze up, a classic "Z" RA thumb, one reason I stopped the test. He missed that clue too. My point is he offered at the followup appointment to get the results of his listening pleasure (still double surgery) to inject a shot of cortizone to get it to relax and I agreed. I honestly didn't think it was that bad and a few days later the knuckle joint relaxed and my thumb hasn't acted up since.

Oh, and the carpal tunnel completely went away without surgery after a few months (my RA flare burned out) until a recent reoccurence, which has resolved with OT and splints.

Good luck, I think you will find it easier than you are thinking it will be. Let us know how it goes. Take care ~~ Cathy

Thank u both for the info. I guess I will just 'buck it up' and take the shot like a good girl. I would imagine he would put lydocaine in withthe cort. like he does on the other shots. Also he sprays the area with a numbing agent so I dont feel the needle going in. Maybe I will be so lucky this time too.

Side note to saynomore - I had carpal surgery in the 80's and90's myself. Not knowing that I would 1 day have RA. Funny how that goes.

Thanks again

snow - do you think the CT was from repetitive motion or an early RA flare? This is interesting. Glad you will pull on your big girl panties and take it like a good, strong woman LOL - honestly, I hope it goes well. I had one there at the same time RD went in to get joint fluid (unsuccessfully). It did hurt, but I don't have a clear recollection of the pain. He gave me a scrip for a few percocet to take afterwards (but part of that may have been for the attempt to get fluid). You can do it!Hi snowpeak,
I had a couple of shots in the spring and I would highly recommend it. I went from regular pain and swelling to rarely any at all. Yes it did hurt, but only for a brief moment and the relief has been lasting!
Best wishes,
Joy
Holy cow that doesn't sound like fun. But you live with the pain of RA every day so you can handle it I'm sure. I'm a big sissy, and I was able to handle having fluid drained from my knee twice and a cortisone shot both times.

Just don't watch and try to relax and it will be over really fast.

Bob H.

YIKES! I got scared just reading about it! I'm a needle phobe. I've had mutiple shots in the area you referred to. Ask the doctor if he has a numbing spray. My hand specialist knows how I am with needles, so he heavily sprays the area with the numbing spray before injecting the tendon. It works for me. I also don't look when he injects.

Thanks to all who replied to myquestion. I really appreciate the input. Even though I know it will hurt I feel like I am in good company LOL It helped to hear you all give me your experiences and ideas.

justsaynomore - At the time it was assumed to be repetitive motion as I had done clerical/police dspatching for many years(with a total of 30+ years). Had to write fast and type fast. But looking back over my med history since the mid 80's I now think that it is possible that it was the RA. I guess I will never know for sure. Most of my symptoms are predominately on my right side. I am left handed. Go figure.

Thanks again all.

Karen

I also had cortisone in the elbow and it hurt like hell. Didn't do anything for the pain. A few weeks ago my rheumy (different Dr. from the elbow guy) injected it into the base of my thumb. He promised me it wouldn't hurt and it didn't!! He numbed it first and it was over before I could blink. I will NEVER go back to the other guy and I'll never have it injected into my elbow again.

I was told though that it does hurt in the fingers so I'm trying to avoid that. Good luck to you. Let us know how it goes.

Many years ago, I had a cortisone shot into the palm of my hand for "trigger finger," one finger stuck in a bent position. It did hurt like hell, despite a freezing cold numbing spray first, but it worked - the finger finally relaxed and got back to normal.

Some of these cruel and unusual treatments can be really painful, but if they work, they're worth it.