Hygroma of the hand

A hygroma of the hand is a compacted round formation with liquid serous contents, a type of cyst containing mucus or fibrin in the tendon sheath or serous sac. Tumors of this type occur with constant mechanical impact on the wrist area, as well as with its injury. Most often, a hygroma of the hand is localized on the wrist joint, but it can also form on the palms.

The size of the cyst varies from small to very large, depending on the degree of progression of the tumor, and can range from one to five centimeters.

A hand hygroma is a benign tumor-like formation, usually not fused with the skin and causing moderate pain, the size of which ranges from one to five centimeters. However, pain syndrome may be completely absent during tumor development. In the acute stage, manifestations of hyperemia may be observed.

The tumor cavity is filled with fluid, which gives it a soft, elastic structure.

The occurrence of a neoplasm may be associated with the development of inflammatory processes in the wrist joint, with trauma or constant pressure on it, for example, when performing repetitive movements associated with the work process.

When palpated, the tumors are mobile and not connected to surrounding tissues. However, in some cases, with superficial formation of a cystic neoplasm, adhesion to the skin may be observed.

When a neoplasm appears in the arm area, differential diagnostics are required to exclude other types of tumors. To analyze the contents of the tumor, as well as during conservative therapy, the intracavitary fluid is pumped out using a special needle.

In case of large tumor sizes, rapid growth, impaired mobility of the wrist joint, as well as a number of other symptoms, surgical removal of the tumor is indicated.

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Reasons

The causes of hygroma of the hand can be provoked by the following factors:

• Development of the inflammatory process of the synovial membrane of the fibrous sheath of the muscle tendon.
• Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the joint capsule.
• Injury.
• Constant mechanical impact on the hand, usually associated with performing monotonous work.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of ganglion cyst of the hand include the following signs:

• The appearance of a round formation of soft elastic consistency in the hand
• The occurrence of dull pain in the hand, more often when moving the hand
• The skin at the site of tumor formation may have a rough surface and may also be slightly compacted.
• During an exacerbation, hyperemia may appear on the skin
• When a neoplasm develops in a superficial synovial sac, its walls thicken, become uneven and can connect with nearby tissues.
• If the tumor puts pressure on the vascular-nerve bundles, an increase in the sensitivity of the skin may be observed, or, conversely, a decrease in it, accompanied by numbness.

Hygroma of the wrist joint

Ganglion cyst of the wrist joint - may occur as a result of the development of inflammatory processes in the joint, as well as due to injury or constant mechanical pressure on the hand, which may be associated with professional activities (for example, daily work that requires performing monotonous hand movements).

Depending on the indications, including such factors as the size of the formation, the presence of pain, and the progression of the tumor, a hand hygroma can be surgically removed or eliminated by pumping out its contents with a syringe. However, it should be noted that the use of such a method as tumor puncturing does not exclude the possibility of its recurrence.

Pain in the hygroma of the hand

When a neoplasm appears in the arm area, differential diagnostics are performed to determine the nature of the tumor. When a diagnosis is made, the patient may be offered conservative or radical treatment methods. The former include tumor puncture, anti-inflammatory therapy, and UV irradiation.

If a hygroma of the hand hurts, the motor activity of the wrist joint is impaired, there is a decrease in sensitivity in the area of the neoplasm, numbness or, conversely, the sensitivity of the skin is too pronounced, the patient is usually prescribed surgical removal of the neoplasm.

What is the danger of hygroma of the hand?

If a hygroma is detected in the wrist area, or if it rapidly increases in size, you should consult a doctor. A hand hygroma is dangerous primarily because of the risk of developing purulent tendovaginitis, complications of which can lead to dysfunction of the hand.

When a tumor is damaged, its membrane may rupture, causing its contents to leak into nearby tissues or outward.

After spontaneous or traumatic opening of a hygroma of the hand, its shell is able to recover, which entails the re-formation of a tumor, and in some cases, more than one.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of superficially localized hygroma of the hand includes visual examination and palpation of the formation. Differential diagnosis of the neoplasm is carried out in order to exclude the development of other benign or malignant tumors, ganglion and arterial aneurysm.

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Puncture of hygroma of the hand

Puncture of the hygroma of the hand is performed for the purpose of examining its contents, as well as a conservative treatment method.

When puncturing a tumor, a special needle is inserted into its cavity, with the help of which the liquid contents are pumped out. If the formation is very large, medications are injected into the neoplasm to prevent repeated accumulation of fluid.

If, after a puncture, fluid accumulates again in the tumor cavity, surgical treatment is indicated.

Treatment

Treatment of hygroma of the hand can be carried out using conservative or surgical methods.

When conducting conservative therapy, the patient should completely exclude loads on the arm. Thermal applications, paraffin are applied to the affected area, mud therapy and UV irradiation may be prescribed.

Conservative treatment methods also include tumor puncturing – pumping out fluid from it with subsequent administration of glucocorticosteroids. The downside of this treatment method is the risk of recurrence of the disease.

Ointment for hygroma of the hand

Ointment for hygroma of the hand can be used as an adjuvant treatment to reduce inflammatory processes. Ointments do not have an independent therapeutic effect when a tumor is formed. As part of complex therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments and gels containing diclofenac, indomethacin, etc. can be used. It is also possible to use a herbal ointment based on propolis.

Removal of hygroma of the hand

Removal of the hygroma of the hand is performed using local anesthesia by surgical intervention. Indications for surgery are, as a rule, large sizes of the formation, leading to a violation of the aesthetics of the appearance of the hand and the motor activity of the joint.

After the hygroma is removed, the joint capsule is sutured to ensure its strengthening. During the recovery period after surgical removal of the neoplasm, the patient is advised to completely avoid loads on the arm area.

The following factors are indications for surgical intervention:

• Severe pain in the arm
• Limited mobility of the wrist joint
• Rapid tumor progression
• Obvious aesthetic defect

The tumor removal is performed under local anesthesia and lasts about thirty minutes. After the operation, stitches are applied for seven to ten days.

Operation

Surgery for hygroma of the hand is indicated in cases of rapid growth of the neoplasm, occurrence of severe pain in the hand, limitation of motor activity of the wrist joint, as well as when the tumor disrupts the aesthetic appearance of the hand.

The operation is performed under local anesthesia for half an hour. At the end of the surgical process, the patient is given stitches, which are removed after about a week. During the recovery period, any loads on the arm area should be excluded.

Hygroma of the hand after surgery

The hand hygroma is completely eliminated after the operation, the joint capsule is sutured to strengthen it. To prevent negative consequences after the operation, the patient should not allow the affected area to be injured, any loads on the wrist joint are excluded. Postoperative sutures are usually removed on the seventh to tenth day after the hygroma is removed.

Treatment with folk remedies

Treatment of hygroma of the hand with folk remedies cannot be considered as an effective method of its elimination. Such therapy can have an auxiliary effect and is used only for small sizes of the formation to relieve discomfort or pain and reduce the inflammatory process.

Among the folk methods of treating hygroma, the most common is the use of cabbage leaves for internal use or as a compress.

Cabbage juice, squeezed from its crushed leaves, is taken half a glass for a month twice a day before meals.

To apply a compress, a cabbage leaf is covered with a layer of honey, then applied to the affected area and wrapped warmly. For the same purposes, it is possible to use wormwood juice, which is rubbed into the sore spot and covered with cellophane and a warm cloth.

It is possible to completely get rid of a hygroma only by performing a puncture or surgical intervention.

Prevention

Prevention of hygroma of the hand consists of avoiding trauma to the wrist joint, as well as timely elimination of inflammatory processes in the joints that can provoke the development of a tumor, such as bursitis and tendovaginitis.

Forecast

The prognosis for hygroma of the hand is favorable with timely treatment and qualified treatment. This is a benign formation that is subject to treatment and complete removal.

When using conservative therapy and puncturing the tumor, cases of its recurrence are not uncommon. During surgical intervention, the hygroma of the hand is completely removed, which allows you to finally get rid of it.