Hello and welcome to HCM,
A swelling that is persisting from last five years and has recently caused pain is suggestive of a benign lesion.
Benign lesions are ones which grow slowly over a period of time, do not spread to distant sites and cause little functional
disability.
Now that the lesion has become symptomatic that is it is causing pain, you need to get few investigations done.
A X-ray will determine the relation of the lesion to the underlying bone.
A fine needle aspiration needle aspiration (FNA) also needs to be done.
In FNA a thin needle is put in the lesion and cells are aspirated from it.
The cells are spread on slide and stained.
These cells are examined microscopically.
This examination determines the origin and character of the lesion.
After knowing the origin, nature and character of the lesion, the lesion can be managed.
You need to consult your surgeon for the clinical examination and relevant investigations.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal