Infiltrations

Infiltration involves injecting medication directly into a joint, around tendons or painful area to relieve symptoms. Unlike oral treatments, this approach enables targeted local action, with a high concentration of the product in the affected area. It is frequently used to treat musculoskeletal conditions such as rhizarthrosis (osteoarthritis of the base of the thumb) or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Types of product used

Two main types of product are used for infiltrations: corticoids and hyaluronic acid (HA).
Corticoids are powerful anti-inflammatories, rapidly reducing inflammation and pain. They are particularly effective for acute inflammatory disorders.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is used more for its lubricating properties. It helps improve joint mobility, particularly in cases of osteoarthritis, offering longer-lasting relief.

Infiltrations are indicated to treat a variety of pathologies of the hand and wrist. They are often used for conditions such as osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis. These conditions can limit daily activities by causing pain and stiffness.

Infiltrations are an effective treatment option for relieving these symptoms and improving hand function. Infiltrations can sometimes delay or avoid the need for more invasive surgery.

The procedure is performed during the consultation with your surgeon. In the case of intra-articular infiltration for osteoarthritis (particularly of the thumb or wrist), Dr Bejic administers a local anaesthetic beforehand.
Sometimes, for greater precision, the procedure is performed under X-ray guidance.

Infiltrations offer a number of advantages for the treatment of wrist and hand pain and disorders :

• Rapid pain relief: corticosteroids, in particular, provide rapid relief, enabling patients to return to their daily activities
• Reduced inflammation: by directly targeting the affected area, infiltrations effectively reduce swelling and inflammation
• Improved mobility: by reducing pain, injections allow greater range of motion for manual tasks

Infiltrations are generally well tolerated, but as with any treatment, they carry a few risks and side effects, the most common of which are :

• Temporary pain at the injection site
• Pain in the thumb, which may last 1-2 days in the case of severe osteoarthritis
• slight swelling or redness

Less common risks include :

• Infections (although these are minimized by the rigorous aseptic techniques)
• Allergic reactions

After an infiltration, it is advisable to limit use of the hand or wrist for 24 to 48 hours. Medical follow-up is then carried out to assess response to treatment.

Occupational therapy sessions may be recommended to support recovery and reinforce the benefits of the infiltration.

Infiltrations performed at Leman Hand Clinic are an effective solution for treating a variety of hand and wrist pathologies, offering patients rapid relief, reduced inflammation and improved mobility.