Being a Type I diabetic for over 30 years I have no problem with needles and received my annual flu shot last week. That said, this is the story of my most recent injection. I have been having problems with arthritis and/or trigger finger in one of my hand joints and saw an orthopedic recently. He suggested a steroidal shot and I agreed with no trepidation. I held out my hand, palm up, in a relaxed fashion knowing that I should remain as still as possible during the injection. The injection would go in at the base of my first finger. As soon as he began the injection I wish he had warned me that it might be painful. Even though I did not want to move, the injection was so much more painful than I expected that I straightened my fingers and moved away from the needle by pressing the back of my hand down to the table for stability. In hindsight I should have pressed my hand as flat as possible onto the table and grabbed my wrist with my other hand. I still have not figured out why this injection was so painful. It is only the third time in many decades of medical care that I have been surprised by the intensity of pain incurred with no preparation.