Evaluation of Vibratory and Vapocoolant Anesthesia to Reduce Injection Pain During Corticosteroid Treatments for Hand, Wrist, and Elbow Conditions

What this Trial Is About

This research study evaluates pain experienced at the needle insertion site during corticosteroid injections CSI in the upper extremities, comparing different anesthesia methods. The study aims to identify which mode of anesthesiano anesthesia, vibrational anesthesia, or vapo-coolant anesthesiais associated with the least pain during these injections. It involves patients with bilateral arthritis, tendinopathy, arthropathy, or compression neuropathy of the hand, wrist, or elbow who require CSI as part of their treatment. Participants receive two corticosteroid injections, one in each arm, during a single visit as part of their routine medical care. The anesthesia method used for each injection is randomly assigned to one of three combinations no anesthesia with vapo-coolant spray, no anesthesia with vibrational anesthesia using the DigiVibe device, or vapo-coolant spray combined with vibrational anesthesia using DigiVibe. The DigiVibe device applies pulsed vibrations directly to the skin to help interfere with pain signals during injection. After each injection, participants complete a numeric pain rating scale to report their pain and comfort levels related to the anesthesia method used. The entire study visit lasts about 20 minutes. Researchers measure pain intensity immediately following injections in the hand, wrist, and elbow and analyze changes from baseline pain levels. This study is randomized and unmasked, focusing on supportive care to reduce injection pain.

Vibratory Anesthesia on Pain Following Corticosteroid Injections