Refractory Raynaud's Despite Oral Therapy
Oral medication isn't controlling frequent, painful finger vasospasm attacks.
- ~11: Attacks per month (despite calcium channel blockers)
- ~36%: Finger blood flow (of normal resting level)
- ~88%: Nerve signal activity (overactive sympathetic tone)
- Poor: Oral therapy response (candidate for injection)
Why attacks persist
Overactive nerve signals keep finger vessels clamped down too often.
When injection is considered
Reserved for attacks unresponsive to standard oral medication.
A Brief In-Clinic Palm Injection
A small injection near the base of the fingers, done in minutes.
- ~10 min: Procedure duration (in-clinic, outpatient)
- Palm: Injection site (near digital nerve pathways)
- Local: Anesthesia (minor discomfort only)
- Same day: Recovery time (resume normal activity)
What happens during the visit
Clinician injects near the palm base, targeting overactive nerve input.
Immediately after
Mild soreness possible; patients typically leave the same visit.
The Overactive Signal Settles Down
Over the following days, nerve signaling to vessels quiets.
- Days: Onset of effect (gradual, not instant)
- Marked: Nerve activity drop (from baseline overactivity)
- Fewer spasms: Symptom change (as signal quiets)
- ~2 weeks: Typical window (to full early effect)
How the quieting unfolds
Nerve signal strength drops steadily over the first couple weeks.
What patients notice
Fewer color changes and less pain during cold exposure.
Vessels Relax, Circulation Returns
With the signal quieted, vessels stay relaxed and flow improves.
- Up sharply: Blood flow gain (vs pre-procedure baseline)
- Warmer: Skin temperature (fingertips less cold)
- Reduced: Attack severity (milder when they occur)
- ~4-8 wks: Peak effect window (post-procedure)
Why flow improves
Less nerve-driven constriction lets vessels stay open longer.
Functional benefit
Improved circulation supports healing of any skin changes.
Months of Relief, Then Gradual Return
Symptom relief lasts months before the nerve signal slowly returns.
- Months: Relief duration (varies by dose and patient)
- Sharply lower: Attack frequency (for the relief period)
- Gradual: Signal return (not abrupt)
- Often considered: Repeat injection (once effect fades)
The fading timeline
Nerve activity slowly climbs back toward baseline over months.
Planning ahead
A repeat injection can be scheduled as benefit wanes.