An TW, Boone SL, Boyer MI, Gelberman RH, Osei DA, Calfee RP. Effect of ice on pain after corticosteroid injection in the hand and wrist: a randomized controlled trial.
J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2016;
41:984-989. [PMID:
27402283 DOI:
10.1177/1753193416657678]
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Abstract
UNLABELLED
This prospective, randomized controlled study was designed to determine if applying ice to the site of corticosteroid injections in the hand and wrist reduces post-injection pain. Patients receiving corticosteroid injections in the hand or wrist at a tertiary institution were enrolled. Subjects were randomized to apply ice to the injection site and take scheduled over-the-counter analgesics ( n = 36) or take scheduled over-the-counter analgesics alone ( n = 32). There were no significant differences in the mean pain score between the two groups at any time-point (pre-injection or 1-5 days post-injection). In regression modelling, the application of ice did not predict pain after injection. Visual analogue pain scores increased at least 2 points (0-10 scale) after injection in 17 out of 36 patients in the ice group versus ten out of 32 control patients. We conclude that the application of ice in addition to over-the-counter analgesics does not reduce post-injection pain after corticosteroid injection in the hand or wrist.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
I Therapeutic Study.
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