My symptoms from carpal tunnel syndrome have been hanging on for months. Now my doctor wants to give me a steroid injection in my wrist. I’ve heard steroids can be really harmful. Is this true?

The negative news about steroid use for painful conditions usually centers around excessive use of the drug. Getting injections over and over into the same spot eventually causes the soft tissues in the area to weaken, making them more susceptible to injury.

The long-term results of steroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome are not all that promising. So if your doctor suggests an injection, it is not likely this treatment will be repeated, even if it helps you feel better for a while.