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General Hands Wrists

Hand or Wrist Tumors: Should You Be Worried?

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Hand or wrist tumors can be frightening, but often are harmless. Either way, you should schedule an appointment with our hand surgeon in Howell, Warren, West Bloomfield, or Macomb Township to have the wrist or hand growth analyzed.

If you have a sudden growth or lump on your hand or wrist, the sight can be unsettling. Your mind may immediately go to a dark place, where you worry about serious conditions like cancer. It’s important to know, however, that hand or wrist tumors are usually not as bad as they look.

What You Need to Know About Hand or Wrist Tumors

A tumor can be defined as swelling on a part of the body due to the abnormal growth of tissue.

The word “tumor” is not synonymous with cancer. In fact, the vast majority of hand or wrist tumors are non-cancerous and painless.

Types of tumors that can develop on the hands and wrists include:

  • Giant Cell Tumor of the Tendon Sheath: This usually benign tumor most often occurs in patients older than 30. It grows slowly and is painless, and most often is found on the fingers.
  • Lipomas: Lipomas are the most common type of tumor, but they do not appear on the hands or wrists as frequently as on other areas of the body, such as the back or thigh. The benign fatty tissue growth usually affects adults ages 50 or older. They are soft to the touch and grow slowly.
  • Nerve Sheath Tumors: The nerve sheath is tissue that insulates the peripheral nerves, and a nerve sheath tumor grows within the cells of this covering. It can cause symptoms of shooting sharp pain in the affected area.
  • Neuromas: The growths are found along nerves and are caused by a traumatic event, such as a cut to the nerve. They are often very painful.

Other common types of tumors and other growths, such as cysts, that appear on the hands or wrists include ganglion cysts and epidermal inclusion cysts.

Treatment for Hand or Wrist Tumors

Occasionally an ultrasound will be performed or an MRI ordered to help distinguish the mass. If it is believed to be non-cancerous and is not troublesome, no action is necessary. Most people, however, do not want to live with the growth, so they elect to have them surgically removed.

Patients who are experiencing pain associated with these masses may be prescribed anti-inflammatory medications or given splints.

Individuals who are concerned about hand or wrist tumors should make an appointment with our hand surgeon, Dr. Arora. A proper examination can give you peace of mind if the growth is harmless, or help protect you if it isn’t.

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Conditions General Treatments Wrists

Seeking Treatment for a Ganglion Cyst in Detroit

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ganglion cyst

A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops on the hands or wrists, as well as occasionally on the feet. These growths affect the joints or tendons and range from the size of a pea to an inch in diameter. They may have either a firm or soft, spongy feel. You might notice one large growth or several small growths in the same area. While some ganglion cysts are symptom-free, others cause pain or weakness by pressing on the nerves. If you are bothered by this type of growth on your hand or wrist, we invite you to learn about your treatment options in the greater Detroit area.

What Causes a Ganglion Cyst?

Experts aren’t exactly sure why this type of cyst develops. They are more common in women ages 20 to 40, people who have osteoarthritis, and those who have suffered an injury to the affected tendon or joint.

How is this Type of Cyst Diagnosed?

Our doctor may first physically examine the cyst and see how it responds to pressure. In some cases, he may order certain imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis by ruling out related conditions such as arthritis.

How are Ganglion Cysts Treated?

If the cyst does not cause pain or interfere with hand movement, you don’t necessarily need treatment. But if you are bothered by the growth, several treatment options are available in the Detroit area. Our doctor may immobilize the cyst with a brace or splint, which can cause it to shrink and eventually disappear. It is sometimes sufficient to completely drain the cyst, though it may regrow over time with this approach. Other procedures may be performed if other treatment options are ineffective, if the bump is large and solid, or if a major blood vessel is affected.

Contact Us Today to Learn More

If you are bothered by an unusual growth on your hand or wrist, you should only visit a qualified hand specialist in the Detroit area. Look no further than Dr. Arora at Arora Hand Surgery in Howell, Macomb Township, Warren, or West Bloomfield. He can perform a thorough examination and determine the best course of treatment for your ganglion cyst. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get started!

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Conditions General Treatments

Finding Treatment for a Ganglion Cyst in Macomb

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ganglion cyst

A ganglion cyst is a small lump that is found above a tendon or joint on your body. These cysts can occur on nearly any joint in the body, but they are primarily found on the hands and wrists. While it can be very scary to see a round lump on your body, ganglion cysts are never cancerous. They will start out as completely painless, but they may start to cause problems down the road. If your ganglion cyst is disrupting your movement or causing pain, then it is probably time to seek treatment at our office in Macomb Township.

The exact cause of a ganglion cyst is not known at the moment. They seem to develop after an injury causes the joint or tendon to shift out of its normal location. People with osteoarthritis are also far more likely to develop a ganglion cyst at some point in their life. Once the cyst develops, it will quickly start to fill up with the same thick fluid that is used by the body to lubricate the joints and tendons.

If you think you have a bothersome ganglion cyst, then you should come get it checked out by our professional in Macomb. Our doctor can perform a physical exam of the hand and wrist. He will also likely put some pressure on the cyst and take some X-rays to get an accurate diagnosis. Once it is determined that you have this kind of cyst, it is time to start your treatment in Macomb.

The first form of treatment used to eliminate your cyst may be immobilization. Moving your joints and tendons can cause your cyst to get larger over time, so you may be given a splint or brace. The hope is that the lack of movement in your joints and tendons will cause the cyst to decrease in size. If this does not happen after a short period of time, then another form of treatment will need to be used.

If immobilization is not successful, then the doctor may attempt to remove the ganglion cyst. This form of treatment involves draining the fluid inside the cyst. While this will decrease the size of the cyst, it may come back in the future.

If the problematic ganglion cyst continues to come back after this form of treatment, then it must be removed using surgery. The entire cyst will be removed from your body during the procedure. The ganglion cyst will have a stalk that is attached to a tendon or joint. This stalk is also removed This is a very simple procedure with almost no risks.

If you suspect you may have a ganglion cyst, make an appointment at Arora Hand Surgery in Macomb, West Bloomfield, Howell, or Warren to learn about your treatment options. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation!

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Conditions General

What Is a Ganglion Cyst and Does It Require Surgery?

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A ganglion cyst is a lump that people will develop on their hands and wrists. They are noncancerous, but they are full of fluid, which can cause pain if they are pressing on a nerve. The size of the cysts can vary greatly. Some are actually quite small, while others can be an inch or slightly larger in size. In some instances, the location of the cyst can make it difficult to move the joint.

The exact cause of ganglion cysts is unknown, and they will often disappear on their own. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes, you will need to have surgical treatment, which we will discuss further below.

What Are the Symptoms?

Most of the time, the cysts are painless. As mentioned though, if they are located close to a nerve, and they press on the nerve, this can cause a substantial amount of pain. Even a small cyst can cause problems, such as numbness and weakness in the muscle. The size of the cyst can change as well, depending on how often you use that joint. When you use the joint more often, the cyst could increase in size.

Whether you experience pain or loss of motion or not, you will want to make sure to head to a doctor so they can provide you with a proper diagnosis. You want to make sure it is a ganglion cyst and not anything more serious. The doctor will also be able to recommend treatment. As mentioned, many times, the cyst will go away without any type of treatment. Many doctors will want to see what happens with the cyst before providing treatment, as it might be unneeded.

Types of Treatment

When the doctor does decide that they need to treat the cyst, they have several options. First, they will likely want the patient to immobilize their wrist. This can help the cyst to shrink. For those cysts that do not go away, the doctor could aspirate the cyst. This involves using a needle, inserting it into the cyst, and then draining the fluid. Some doctors will then inject the area with steroids, which should help to keep the cyst from coming back. However, there is still the possibility of the cyst recurring.

Of course, there is a chance that the other treatments will not work. In those cases, the doctor will determine whether surgery is a good and viable option. The ganglion cyst surgery will remove not only the cyst, but also the connecting stalk that is attached to the tendon or the joint. While this is a good option for many, there is always the chance that the cyst could still return.

If you have a ganglion cyst, or a lump that you believe may be a cyst, you will want to get in touch with a medical professional who can examine you. You can talk to a specialist who performs hand surgery to determine whether removal is your best option to help get rid of the cyst.

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Dr. Aroras office from my first call to schedule my appointment was friendly. Walking in the first day, I felt like I was in a nice atmosphere. Dr. Arora was EXCELLENT in taking great care of my hand injury. He was gentle and very understanding to the concerns I had about my hand. His expertise was admirable and I would recommend anyone with an injury to their hand to his office to be under his care. Because of him, I have healed faster than expected and will make an 100% recovery! Thank you Dr.

Jackie S.

I first thought I was going to have to have painful injections or surgery, but Dr. Arora suggested physical therapy may do the trick. I was doubtful, but I agreed to do it. Now, my pain is gone, and with the help of an ergonomic keyboard at work to keep my hands in the correct position, I am virtually pain free. The therapy strengthened my wrists and shoulders, and built more flexibility into my wrists.

Jerry T.

My experience with this doctor was positive from the outset. Dr. Arora was kind and spent a great deal of time with me. Staff was friendly. The office was nice and bright.

Ariel G.

Very friendly and helpful Great staff!!! Doctor Arora was very professional and did great work. I was very happy with everything!

L B.