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