hi, thank you for providing the brief history of your son. As mentioned, a thorough neuromuscular assessment is advised. As for carpal tunnel syndrome, you need to have a brief understanding about the mechanics. During this condition there is a tightness and the flexor retinaculum which leads to compression in the underlying structures leading to pain, numbness and hand dysfunction. Since your Surgeon provided the cortisone over the flexor retinaculum, it is to relax the tissues there. which may depend upon the physiology to accept or reject. That is where you have heard or on net that people had to undergo the next dose of cortisone or may be surgery in future. But there is a non invasive way of dealing With carpal tunnel syndrome - that is the physical therapy. Physical therapy is non invasive and no side effects. also, research supports that in carpal tunnel syndrome physical therapy helps to release the tightness of the flexor retinaculum and also relaxed the pressure beneath the structures. In my clinical practice , I see carpal tunnel syndrome. with the help of neuromuscular assessment , MRI ,NCV and EMG a plan for physical therapy is designed to rehabilitate the hand. Most cases recover with 4-6 weeks of time and then a gradual improved rehabilitation protocol is designed again after reassessing the Hand. I wish your son a good health. He is too young to undergo surgery. Regards Jay Indravadan Patel