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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does A Swollen Mass On The Lower Back Indicate?

This morning I noticed a mass on my lower back. It s like where my tailbone meets the end of my spine. It s a large swelling that is very soft and does not have a real defined shape when prodded. It is roughly the size of my hand. It is not painful other than a dull ache and does not have any appearance of an injury. It appeared to pop up almost over night. I saw a family friend who is a doctor who said to get an MRI but I can t do that until next week because of the holiday. Any idea of what else it might be?
Mon, 14 Jan 2019
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

The swelling you're referring can be a synovial cyst. filled with fluid. Usually non-tender. It appears when age wise degeneration of intervertebral cartilage gets degenerated & corroded.

In such fluid synovial fluid from joint sac comes out to form a cyst. Mostly symptoms (unless causes pressure on spinal nerves ).

It does not need immediate treatment. So you can safely wait till MRI date to get it diagnosed properly & get needful treatment with expert orthopaedic surgeon's help.

Till then avoid painful movements /excessive non-painful movements./donot massage ornament the thing. To not try to pick it open.Tab.Ibuprofen over the counter can be taken for pain relief.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Vasudha Jayant Athavale, General & Family Physician
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What Does A Swollen Mass On The Lower Back Indicate?

Hi, The swelling you re referring can be a synovial cyst. filled with fluid. Usually non-tender. It appears when age wise degeneration of intervertebral cartilage gets degenerated & corroded. In such fluid synovial fluid from joint sac comes out to form a cyst. Mostly symptoms (unless causes pressure on spinal nerves ). It does not need immediate treatment. So you can safely wait till MRI date to get it diagnosed properly & get needful treatment with expert orthopaedic surgeon s help. Till then avoid painful movements /excessive non-painful movements./donot massage ornament the thing. To not try to pick it open.Tab.Ibuprofen over the counter can be taken for pain relief. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Vasudha Jayant Athavale, General & Family Physician