Seeing a lump on the hand or the wrist may be alarming. So, you begin to wonder about the cause of it and whether you should head to the doctor’s office or not.
In most cases, a lump on the wrist or hand isn’t serious. In rare situations though, it may signal a condition that requires quick medical attention.
Keep reading to learn more about the causes and what you should do in case you have some of these types of lumps on your wrists or hands!
5 Types of Wrist or Hand Lumps & What to Do with Each One
- Ganglion cyst
This cyst which can be oval-shaped or round is usually filled with fluid. It grows around the tendons and joints. It usually appears on the back of the wrist. This cyst isn’t alarming. Its size may vary and it may increase if the person is making repetitive motions with the wrist.
These cysts aren’t cancerous and they’re painless. Usually, they go away without treatment, but this may require years. Other symptoms of this cyst are numbness, pain, tingling sensation, muscle weakness, and difficulty with wrist movements.
The causes of this cyst aren’t known. To be diagnosed with it, a doctor applies pressure to it to check for the discomfort level and the tenderness. X-rays and MRI scans may sometimes be necessary to rule out other conditions like arthritis or tumors.
What to do:
If this cyst isn’t causing pain, it may not be treated.
But, if it’s painful or if it impedes normal joint movement, your doctor may recommend aspiration, immobilization, or surgery in case the other treatments don’t provide results.
- Epidermoid cyst
This cyst is a small cyst filled with keratin which grows under the skin.
Despite being painless, it may rupture and cause pain and inflammation. Some of the major symptoms are swelling, flushed skin, benign round lump, and tenderness.
The main cause for these cysts is a buildup of keratin, a protein naturally found in our skin cells. When the protein is trapped under the skin, a cyst may develop. Skin trauma may also increase the risk of a keratin cyst. Doctors diagnose it via examination.
What to do:
If the cyst isn’t complicated, it doesn’t usually require treatment.
Some cysts may go away spontaneously. But, if it ruptures and causes pain, some of the treatment options are antibiotics, steroid injections, and drainage of fluid from the cyst.
- Carpal boss
This cyst happens when there’s overgrowth of the carpal bones of the wrist. The lump is firm and it’s usually on the back of the wrist.
The exact cause for it is unknown, but research indicates that the condition may be triggered by direct trauma or repetitive wrist movements such as ones needed when playing racket sports.
Some individuals may also experience pain during wrist movement or tenderness. Physical examination and checking the range of motion is usually necessary for diagnosis.
The doctor may also check the area for tenderness or order X-rays or MRIs to check for the bones and tendons of the wrist in case of extreme pain.
What to do:
This cyst doesn’t require treatment if it’s free of symptoms.
But, in case of pain or tenderness, doctors may recommend icing the area, immobilization with a splint, OTC meds, or corticosteroid injections.
Surgery may be necessary if the conservative approach hasn’t worked after six weeks.
- Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath
GCTTSs are benign and nodular tumors that develop on the hands’ tendon sheath.
Research from 2013 notes that this is one of the most common types of benign tumors on the hand, after ganglion cysts.
According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, this cyst is slow-growing, non-cancerous, and usually painless. Diagnosis is done via X-rays, ultrasound scans, or MRIs.
What to do:
Doctors usually recommend a marginal excision to remove the tumors. In other cases, they may perform a total excision of the tumor due to the close association with the synovium of the joint or the tendon sheath.
- Rheumatoid arthritis lumps
This autoimmune condition causes the immunity to attack the joints and trigger joint damage or joint aches. Around 25 percent of people with this condition have rheumatoid nodules.
These round lumps are tender to the touch and may develop on the wrists or hands. They also move if pressed. Other possible symptoms are swelling, painful joints, stiffness, and inflammation.
For diagnosis, the doctor does several physical examinations and lab tests. They may also order X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds.
What to do:
For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, doctors may prescribe DMARDs that slow down the illness and avert deformation of the joints.
You may also be given biologicals. Other management options are OTC meds, icing the area, diet changes, and regular physical activity.
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