Way OT: Who should inject me?

[TimB]

I have been dealing with de Quervain's tenosynovitis for about 8 months, sometimes so bad I can barely hold things with my left hand. Based on this:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12665175&dopt=Abstract

it seems my best bet for treatment is getting injected. Never having had a Corticosteroid injection before, my question is: who (what specialty or GP) should I see to get this?

Thanks.

[martianbait]

Who did you see that diagnosed the problem? If it was your local physician, you should be able to return to them to get treatment. If not, ask them for a referral.

[TimB]

a couple months ago before I moved from MD to NC and changed insurance plans. So now I'm looking at getting an idea if I should go back to another GP and have them look at me and send me somewhere, or if they'd (or at least some GPs) be able to do the injection themselves.

[Gothard]

Hand surgeon would be your best bet, for a complete and precise diagnosis and staging, and for treatment.

Are you aware that De quervain can turn into local necrosis of fascia, that in itself is not a problem, but becomes one if you need surgery( or rather when you'll need it)?

I Assume, since it is your hand, that you looked for the best possible specialist in your area. You can do without a hand, but it makes thing tougher...

[TimB]

Gothard - thanks. So that would be a orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hands? I'll have to make some calls...

[gasman]

It could be an orthopedic surgeon or a plastic surgeon. Either would be fine you just want someone with training in hand surgery and preferably one with 5 or more years in practice.