Hi I Have A Swelling/lump On My Right Ring Finger

Posted on Sun, 2 Feb 2020

Question: Hi I have a swelling/lump on my right ring finger at the middle joint on the palm side of my finger. it is sore and red. when I move my fingers to make a fist, it can hurt. it changes colour when I press on it. the most recent diagnosis I got from a GP was that it is a cyst, possibly of the tendon sheath. can you diagnose what it is from the picture of my fingers and what treatment options are available. this is causing me anxiety as it's not been easy getting a diagnosis. thank you

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please give details and post clear and focused photos

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history and understood the concerns.
Please give additional information for me to assist you better:
Please post photos - they are not still attached with the query.
What is your age and gender please?
Since when is the lump present?
Any history you remember of having direct or indirect trauma in this particular area?
What is the size of the lump?

Do not have anxiety as this is not a very serious disease like cancer, stop worrying.
Dr T Chandrakant.
General Surgeon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

hi thanks for replying dr. I am a 30 year old male. no allergies. I have had this on my finger since 2013. I got an injury to that area with friction burn and it became an open wound with swelling which I thought would subside by itself but left this lump. I have attached picture of it

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
As detailed.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the photo and feedback.
Since there is a history of trauma, it is import to know why and how this has occurred.
The possibility is:
Tenosynovitis.
Ganglion.
Arthritis of the joint with complications like synovitis.

The best treatment would be possible only after knowing the nature.
Can be done by High resolution Ultrasound; still better by MRI. This is very important as fingers are one of the most important parts of body.

Treatment would obviously be as per the final diagnosis and can be in the following forms.
Anti-inflammatory medicines with or without oral steroids.
Intralesional steroids.
Opening and excision of the tissues causing the lump.

I hope this answers your query and helps in decision making.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

Dr T Chandrakant.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (56 minutes later)

thanks for the reply. so how it occured, I was trying to remove dead skin on my finger with a pumice stone but rubbed too hard and broke the skin creating a wound which then swelled. it was very sore and throbbing which subsided but left a swelling on the palm side of the finger at the joint as you can see. your diagnosis is very insightful and I appreciate it greatly. would you be leaning towards one of the diagnosis possibilities over another based on your clinical assesment from, for example, the photo imagery and the swelling/lump appearence? my doctor suspected a ganglion cyst as well. yes I agree, fingers are so important. what are intralesional steroids? like cortisone? your reply is much appreciated

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Tenosynovitis/ganglion or synovial

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback and additional queries.
Intra means inside, lesion means the lump, hence Intralesional means in the mass itself. Usually Kenacort is given or is the practice in your country.
As mentioned above tenosynovitis is the first possibility.

I hope this answers your queries.
Please give follow up once the investigations are done.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

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