Hard boney prominence on wrist - General Health Message Board

jeannobeanno · 06-01-2006, 08:54 AM

Hi there, I am new to this board. I am a 21 year old female who was diagnosed with osgood schlatters disease when I was around 12, the hard mass on my tibial tuberosity has yet to go away like 9 years later. It is still the same as it was before, a very hard mass, just like bone, attached to my tibia and only really visible when I bend my knee. There used to be tremendous pain associated with pressure, but it has since subsided and is now just a nuissance and I am beginning to wonder if it was osgood schlatters disease at all as I never really was that that active. Any ideas? Okay, onto the main question.. for the last few years my left wrist will get really tender for a little bit then the pain will go away. Then tongiht I noticed a bump the about 3/4 of an inch wide on the top of my wrist pretty much in the center, it is only really visible when I bend my wrist. It is just like a boney prominence. I have no idea what it is, it is definetly not a cyst as it doesn't move and is very hard. ANY advice would be greatly appreciated.

blxblts · 06-01-2006, 09:15 AM

Hi Jenny,

I don't know much about this, but since you've requested help, I'll try to give it to you. I had Osgood Schlatters when I was about the same age, and I know what you went through, but I'm pretty sure they're not related.

All I think you have is a 'stress gangleon' that comes from overstretching the hand in a certain direction. You may not have realised when you did it, but I think that's what it is. It is hard, and you probably can't move it - and it will stop you from moving your hand to extremes for a little while because of the pain. However, it won't be there for more than 3 weeks, and the pain should begin to go down after about 1.

Sorry to give you such a long time span on recovery - it'll be inconvenient, but, well, at least I can pretty well assure you [from what you wrote] that it really isn't serious. I don't know what the actual lump is made up of, although I think it's just a very taught sac of fluid deep under the skin (but don't try to pop it!). To be honest, they're really from my experience quite common - and I'm sort of surprised you haven't had one before.

If anyone disagrees, I'd be interested to know, but I'm pretty confident I'm right on this one. Hope that helps,

blxblts

jeannobeanno · 06-01-2006, 10:36 AM

Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it. I cannot find information on "stress ganglion" anywhere, do you know where I can find some information on it. Also, do you still have the bump on your knee? Mine was extremely tender for years, and then the last couple of years it isn't tender except if I hit it really hard, but it is still there as much as it has ever been

blxblts · 06-01-2006, 10:42 AM

Hi Jenny,

I only use the term 'stress ganglion' as my own term...but I'll certainly make the effort to find you out the technical word and some related information this evening - if you can wait that long.

Regarding the Osgood Schlatters, yes, I do still have the lumps in my knees - considering they're bone, I can't see them going away anytime soon

They are still tender if I hit them really hard, and also ache if I keep them in a bent position for a long time (like if I sit resting on my lower legs...a little hard to describe, but I think you know what I mean...). I think it's probably just something I'll have to live with - the doctors never really gave me any advice other than 'you'll grow out of it' - something which I haven't seen to have done. It doesn't really cause me that much of a problem nowadays like it used to - so I just put up with it. There's always surgery you can have, but I don't really see the need...

I'll search you out that information asap - and if you have any more questions about knee bumps, don't hesitiate to ask

Thanks,

blxblts

kehorner · 06-01-2006, 10:59 AM

The bumps from Osgood Schlatter's never go away. They are bony growths. They won't get any bigger, but they probably won't get much smaller, either.

As for the wrist, the technical term is a ganglion cyst. It is an outpouching of the tendon sheath that fills with fluid. If there is a lot of pressure on the fluid, it can be very hard. If you go to the doctor, they can drain it for you (they just stick a needle in and draw out the fluid with a syringe). Or if it isn't bothering you, you can just let it be. But mention it to your doctor next time you go anyway, just to get a definitive diagnosis.