Local Injection of Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Pregnancy
Sunyarn Niempoog MD*, Prakasit Sanguanjit MD*, Thanapong Waitayawinyu MD*, Chayanin Angthong MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani
Objective : To evaluate the results of 4 mg of dexamethasone acetate injections for the treatment of carpal
tunnel syndrome in pregnancy.
Materials and Methods : Twenty-four pregnant volunteers who suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome occurring
in the third trimester of their pregnancies were injected with 4 mg of dexamethasone acetate combined with
1% lidocaine into the carpal tunnels. The volunteers filled the Boston symptom severity questionnaire and
were examined by Phalen’s test, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, grip strength, and pinch strength before
injection, one month after injection, and one month after delivery.
Results : There was significant improvement of symptoms, grip strength and pinch strength of the injected hand
compared with the opposite side at one month after injection (p < 0.01). However, after delivery, the symptoms
of carpal tunnel syndrome improved on both the injected and opposite hands.
Conclusion : Carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy is generally resolved after delivery and, therefore, should
be treated conservatively. The patient with severe symptoms can be treated with dexamethasone injection in
the third trimester with good results.
Keywords : Carpal tunnel syndrome, Pregnancy, Steroid injection
