I Have a Large, Hard Lump on the Back of My Wrist

[Gerby]

Doctor,

  I have a hard lump on the back of my left wrist, that I think I've had for at least a few years.  It seems to extend from at or about the point where my forearm bones meet at the wrist joint, into the "Anatomical Snuffbox". In the adjacent direction, it seems to be about three quarters of an inch across, and it sticks up enough to be easily felt, but not so much as to be noticed by anyone, but me.  I'm willing to send a photograph, if you want.  A few years ago, I don't recall how many, I had an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon; during which a technician x-rayed my left wrist and, I suspect, my hand.  The doctor told me that I had sprained my wrist at sometime in the past; something that I had not known.  She also diagnosed me as having Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both hands; affecting my left elbow, also.  She performed surgery on all three areas.  I don't recall anything having been said about calcium deposits, at the time that my x-rays were examined, but I could have forgotten.  Most of the time, the lump doesn't cause me any pain or discomfort, but I sometimes, when I bend or rotate my left wrist, I feel enough of a sharp pain, that I say, "Ow!"; then it's over.  Could the lump be a calcium deposit? I've read that such deposits can occur as a result of a sprain.  Is anything else more likely? If so; what? I mostly want to get rid of that lump, because it interferes with my being able to bend my wrist back far enough to do push-ups and similar movements.  I'd have made an appointment to consult the orthopedic surgeon again, but my current financial condition is, putting it conservatively, bad, and I don't have any medical insurance.  I won't be able to make an appointment, therefore, until I am able to pay a minimum of one hundred dollars, on the day of the appointment.  I have no idea how much treatment would cost.  I would very much like to know of anything I can do, on my own, to get rid of this unwelcome lump.  Can you offer any suggestions as to what it might be and, possibly, what might safely and effectively rid me of it?

Thank you very much.  

Sincerely,
Gary Skinner

[Kurizu]

Even though it looks like a ganglion cyst, if it is hard then probably it's not.

[Kurizu]

It's only now that I have seen the pictures of the lump on the back of your wrist.  It seems like a ganglion cyst (especially if it is soft) but have it checked by your doctor to rule out other conditions that can cause lump around the wrist such as lipoma, carpal bossing, infections and others.  These other conditions have different treatments.

[Gerby]

Hi Kurizu,

  Thank you for replying.  If you like, you can see a couple of photographs of my left hand and wrist at http://www.allexperts.com/user.cgi?m=6&catID=991&expID=125200&qID=4911204.  If I can manage to come up with the money required, I will likely make an appointment with the orthopedist.  

Thank you for your help.  

Sincerely,
Gary Skinner

[Kurizu]

I have seen patients with a lump on the back of the wrist and were asymptomatic too, and when they underwent x-ray, the result showed a dislocated carpal bone. This is common in patients with previous injury to the wrist.  If the finding shows a dislocated carpal bone, you need to go to an orthopedic doctor for him to relocate it.

An x-ray will also help rule out other possible conditions.

I hope this information will help you.

[Kurizu]

I have seen patients with a lump on the back of the wrist and were asymptomatic too, and when they underwent x-ray, the result showed a dislocated carpal bone. This is common in patients with previous injury to the wrist.  If the finding shows a dislocated carpal bone, you need to go to an orthopedic doctor for him to relocate it.

An x-ray will also help rule out other possible conditions.

I hope this information will help you.

[Gerby]

Hi Kurizu,

  Thank you for your interest.  Wouldn't I be experiencing more severe and constant pain if I had a dislocated carpal tunnel bone? if not, how can I determine if I do have a dislocated carpal tunnel bone? Would need to be done to put it back in its proper place?

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Gary Skinner

[Kurizu]

We need to rule out if the lump was caused by a dislocated carpal bone or not? In the meantime, try to avoid movement that will cause pain. You can also apply elastic bandage to somehow protect the wrist at the moment.