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What Causes Lumps On Knuckles Of Left Hand?

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Posted on Mon, 8 Jun 2015
Question: A couple of the knuckles on my left hand have developed lumps on the knuckle. It looks like calcium deposits or something but they are also hyper sensitive to contact and can be very painful when I do something as simple as knock on a door. This has been an issue for several weeks. What could be causing this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Photo is necessary to answer this question.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Can you please attach a photo of it? It would be much easier to give accurate answer.

Lumps in this location can be a ganglion cysts as well as rheumathoid related lumps.
Ganglion cyst is a kind of fluid filled sac connected with a joint or tendon. It is quite characteristic for this type of lump to be painful.
Rheumathoid lumps should be present along with joint pains.

For sure you need to have it diagnosed. Please consult general surgeon or orthopedist. X-ray should be done at first. Ultrasound should be second.

This is the best answer I can give not being able to see it.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (18 hours later)
Thank you for the reply. The joints are not painful and work fine. The lumps are hard to the touch but they are painful when pressed firmly or contacted or bumped. I have a history of cysts, as a matter of fact I just had a large cyst removed from my back. I will look into it further and probably have it checked by a doctor. Is there anything that I can do to get rid of them in the mean time?
PS. Is there any way to prevent Ganglion cysts?
After further research I believe that the lumps on my knuckles are likely Ganglion cysts. Even though it does not appear that they are usually found on the second knuckle of the fingers, the description of the Ganglion cyst matches my situation pretty closely. I am a construction worker and often hit or bump my hands and arms on stuff while working. The pain from these inadvertent contacts is what caught my attention initially. Then I noticed small lumps on the one side of the top of 3 of my knuckles. I will consult a doctor in the near future. thank you for the information.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You can not prevent ganglion cysts.

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
There is not much you can do to prevent ganglion cysts. This condition reason is written in your genes. It is believed that weak connective tissue is the main case.
For temporal relief you may try to rupture it. In some cases injury of cyst area makes it ruptured. So smashing it with a book, even if sounds quite strange, is known method of treatment. And it works for some patients. Just be careful to do not cause any serious injuries if you decide to try it.

The best treatment is to remove it completely. General surgeon is a good address.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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What Causes Lumps On Knuckles Of Left Hand?

Brief Answer: Photo is necessary to answer this question. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Can you please attach a photo of it? It would be much easier to give accurate answer. Lumps in this location can be a ganglion cysts as well as rheumathoid related lumps. Ganglion cyst is a kind of fluid filled sac connected with a joint or tendon. It is quite characteristic for this type of lump to be painful. Rheumathoid lumps should be present along with joint pains. For sure you need to have it diagnosed. Please consult general surgeon or orthopedist. X-ray should be done at first. Ultrasound should be second. This is the best answer I can give not being able to see it. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.