Who wants to diagnose this bump on my wrist?

[ZAMIRZ]

Showed up about 4 days ago, parents are throwing a big party here tomorrow night and I was helping my mom move stuff around the house and noticed it on monday evening. Tried going mountain biking on Tuesday and it started to hurt, but otherwise hasn't given me any problems under normal conditions. It's very subtle when my wrist is straight, and then when I move my hand up (like in the second picture) it protrudes quite a bit. It's fairly soft when I try to push it in with my right thumb, but it eventually hits bone. So, what do you think? I have an appointment to have it looked at on monday, but figured what the hey I'll post it here too. Hopefully Moses won't tell me I have to go to the ER like last time

[Moses]

Looks like a ganglion cyst. If it's pulsatile, could be an aneurism. It's right over the radial artery. It could be a neuroma, but those don't appear suddenly. It sort of looks like a wrist dislocation, but you would have severe pain all the time.

None of these things are really dangerous (except the aneurism). Let me know what they say on Monday.

P.S. The smart money says it's a ganglion cyst. Should we take a poll?

[ZAMIRZ]

will do, thanks man

[Moses]

For what it's worth, I think yours is bigger.

[ZAMIRZ]

If it's the cyst, I'm assuming it has to be operated on? Is this a risky procedure and how much downtime?

[Moses]

Originally posted by ZAMIRZ
If it's the cyst, I'm assuming it has to be operated on? Is this a risky procedure and how much downtime?

The problem is that the cyst arises from the tendon sheath. Sometimes even the joint space. It's not a risky operation and the downtime is minimal, but they have a tendency to reoccur.

A splint to immobilize the wrist might be recommended as an alternative to surgery or even draining off the fluid with a needle.

Don't rely on my internet diagnosis, make sure you get it checked out. Good luck!

[Moses]

Originally posted by ZAMIRZ
If it's the cyst, I'm assuming it has to be operated on? Is this a risky procedure and how much downtime?

Here's some better info I lifted from Google:

Ganglion cysts are generally caused by excessive masturbation. (kidding)

Medical Treatment

Many cysts (38-58%) can disappear without any treatment at all.

Various treatments have been proposed over the years. Some include telling people with cysts without symptoms not to worry, using a needle to remove the cyst’s contents (aspiration), or surgery.

Aspiration usually includes placing a needle into the cyst, drawing the liquid material out, injecting a steroid compound (anti-inflammatory), and then splinting your wrist to keep it from moving.

Studies have shown up to 74% of people are cured after having the fluid drawn out with a needle 1 time.

If you have the fluid drawn out 3 times, your possibility of being cured goes up to 85%, particularly with a cyst on the back of the hand.

If you compare aspiration/injection and surgical removal, in general, cysts return less often after surgery.




Surgery

Surgical removal of the cyst is needed when the mass is painful, interferes with function (especially when your dominant hand is involved), or causes numbness or tingling of the hand or fingers.

[Mulholland]

Ganglion cyst...I had my ma look at it and she has 25 years experience in the medical field.

[Adam]

My grandfather (RIP), was a very old-fashioned farmer and he wasn't a big believer in running off to see the doctor. When I was about 5 years old, I remember he had what turned out to be a ganglion cyst on his wrist and he fixed it by having a friend wallop his wrist with a phone book.


No kidding! Apparently, that's how they used to deal with them.

[vash]

kinda nice having moses around!

[Mulholland]

Or early elephantitis...I got $10 bucks on elephantitis.

[jbryant]

I actualy did the phonebook (dictionary)treatment on mine.
It worked!!

I did have to go back a few years later and get it sucked out and shot with Steroids. That worked and it has been fine for 10 years.

[Victor]

Originally posted by Adam Chaplin
My grandfather (RIP), was a very old-fashioned farmer and he wasn't a big believer in running off to see the doctor. When I was about 5 years old, I remember he had what turned out to be a ganglion cyst on his wrist and he fixed it by having a friend wallop his wrist with a phone book.


No kidding! Apparently, that's how they used to deal with them.

Adam, was his friend a cop?

[project935]

I had one a few years ago on my wrist as well. Book trick didn't work for me. A Dr tried pushing it back in - didn't really work either. Then they broke out the big-a$$ drainage needle and a local - has never come back since.

No biggie - hurt for about a day after the local wore off.

[Drago]

Political rubish aside, this is why I love the OT forum...

So, wanna see pic's of the laser ablation on my sapheous (sp?)vein in my left leg...goes from my groin to my ankle too...

Got it done on Thursday so it's still fresh

[ZAMIRZ]

Moses! This must've been why my left pinkie and left forefinger and left side of my left hand would go numb when mountain biking (especially when climbing and using the bar ends as support to pull my body). Thanks again though, you really gave me some peace of mind to enjoy the weekend, I really appreciate it.

All, thank you for your replies and I shall get it checked out on monday and try to impress my doc. by telling him what it is and see what he says. Will report back with final verdict on monday.

[island911]

Originally posted by Mulholland
Or early elephantiasis...I got $10 bucks on elephantiasis.

LOL . . .elephantiasis

ya know, I think you've got it. . . he has presented some rather conservative views lately.

No worries, Zamier. . .it's much better than the alternative Donkiasis (aka: Assiasis)

-------------

No, Drago. . we don't need to see your big groin vein.

[Mulholland]

Originally posted by island911 ]LOL . . .elephantiasis

ya know, I think you've got it. . . he has presented some rather conservative views lately.

No worries, Zamier. . .it's much better than the alternative Donkiasis (aka: Assiasis)

No, Drago. . we don't need to see your big groin vein.

By the way, got that boat issue handled, was an impellor. Given your mailbox is full I haven't been able to respond.

Thanks

[azasadny]

I thinks it's syphillis (just kidding, looks like a ganglion cyst to me).

[CarreraS2]

I think it's a boil. Just lance it.

Or Dremel it.