Bumps in the joints of your fingers, hands or wrists are mostly likely caused by ganglion cysts. MayoClinic.com states that a ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled lump which is non-cancerous -- also known as benign -- in nature. The hands, fingers and wrists are some of the most common places for ganglion cysts to occur. If a lump or growth develops, changes or grows, always consult your doctor for medical advice.
Symptoms
Ganglion cysts look and feel like hard lumps under your skin. If the cyst is actually in a joint -- for example, in the joint between the base of your finger and your palm -- it may not be visible or felt when the finger is in a straight position. If the cyst presses on a nerve or part of your joint, there may be some discomfort, aching, pain on pressure, or tingling and numbness around or beyond that joint.
Considerations
MayoClinic.com indicates that it is common for ganglion cysts to eventually go away without treatment; therefore, many doctors advocate a wait-and-see approach to cyst treatment. Frequently, an immobilizer or splint may be recommended while you wait for the cyst to resolve. Splinting your finger joint will reduce friction on and around the joint -- friction and movement may exacerbate the cyst and associated symptoms.
Treatment
If your cyst is larger than -- roughly -- the size of a single garden pea, it likely can be aspirated with a needle. In an aspiration procedure, a health care provider will insert a hollow needle into the middle of your cyst before extracting the jelly-like fluid that forms the cyst. If your cyst is not of a suitable size or location for aspiration, it may be removed surgically. The skin above your cyst would be cut open by a surgeon, and the cyst material cut out. With either treatment option, there is a slight risk of damage to the surrounding tissue, joint or nerves.
Recurrence
The causes of ganglion cysts remain unknown. It is possible for a cyst to appear, disappear or reoccur without any known reason. There is a relatively high risk of a cyst recurring following surgery or aspiration. This may be because not all of the cyst is removed in aspiration -- only the central fluid is taken out by the needle, and therefore it is possible for the empty, aspirated cyst to re-grow with new fluid.
Warning
There are many possible causes of lumps and bumps in and around your finger -- just because ganglion cysts are a common cause of these symptoms, you should not assume that cysts are the only possible cause. If a growth gives you cause for concern, consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis before making any decisions about possible treatment of the growth.
