Hygroma on the arm

A hygroma on the hand is a benign connective tissue node that occurs in the area of a tendon or joint. This is a small cyst-like formation, ranging in size from a few millimeters to 10 centimeters in diameter, often localized in the area of the hand, wrist joint.

A hygroma is usually not very painful, and sometimes does not cause any trouble to its owner, except that it slightly spoils the appearance of the wrist, especially if the formation is large.

In childhood, hygroma rarely appears and can mainly be found in women and men aged 20-40 years.

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Causes of hygroma on the hand

The causes of hygroma on the hand are metaplastic changes in the collagen fibers of the connective tissue and their filling with synovial fluid, which thickens over time. Often, a specific reason for the appearance of these changes cannot be found, but they suggest the participation of a hereditary factor, professional characteristics, and frequent trauma to the hand.

The hereditary factor implies the possibility of hygroma appearing in close relatives if one of them is predisposed to such a disease.

Hygroma may occur in representatives of certain professions whose activities involve increased load on the joints of the upper limbs. These are typists, knitters, pianists, programmers, massage therapists and other similar professions.

The formation of a hygroma may be associated with periodic injury to the tendon sheath or synovial bag of the joint, with frequent physical stress on the joint.

Inflammation of the tendon sheath or the joint itself can also provoke the appearance of a hygroma: in such a situation, a metabolic disorder in the periarticular area plays a role.

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Symptoms of hygroma on the hand

Upon visual inspection, a hygroma looks like a small tumor-like formation, clearly visible under the skin. This tumor can exist in a single number, or be located multiple times on one or more joints. The formation can be either dense or elastic to the touch, connected to nearby tissues, but the skin above it should move freely.

Hygroma usually develops very slowly, and in the early stages it may be completely unnoticeable. However, as the formation grows, discomfort may occur after physical exercise, limited movement in the joint, and aching, unexpressed pain during exercise (due to stretching of the synovial bag).

A tumor of significant size is easily injured by careless movements, causing a lot of inconvenience, not to mention the aesthetic side of the issue.

Compression of small vessels and nerve endings manifests itself as numbness and tingling in the joint or fingers, aching pain, and stagnant hemostasis. Sharp pressure on the tumor may cause sharp pain radiating to the entire surface of the hand.

It happens that a tumor-like formation seems to disappear, but then appears again: this is due to the peculiarities of the location of the hygroma in relation to the joint, in which it has the ability to “hide”.

There is also a variant when the hygroma is located in the subligamentous space: pain and discomfort are present, but external manifestations of the tumor are not noticeable.

The skin over the formation usually does not change, thickening of the skin, peeling, hyperemia are rarely observed. Such cases, as well as rapid growth of the hygroma, require urgent consultation with a specialist.

Hygroma of the hand

A hand hygroma is usually small in size, it is closely connected with the synovial bag and tendons, since it uses the fluid from their cavities for its growth. It can appear both within a few days and be characterized by extremely slow development.

The wrist location of the hygroma is often called the term "synovial cyst": it is a dense formation on a certain section of the tendons of the flexor muscles. Such a tumor is firmly connected to the nearest joint, therefore it provokes the occurrence of pain and phenomena of motor discomfort. The general and local body temperature does not increase, the color of the skin over the tumor-like formation does not change.

The most common type of hygroma is the hand hygroma. It is characterized by small size and a fairly hard consistency, resembling a cartilaginous or bone segment to the touch. The tumor has a characteristic property of slightly increasing during physical activity and decreasing again during rest.

Hygroma on the finger

A hygroma on a finger is relatively rare, so it is sometimes confused with manifestations of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rickets, in which similar nodules may appear. A hygroma on a finger itself rarely causes complications, although it can manifest itself as a consequence of other joint diseases.

The tumor may arise as a result of deforming arthrosis of some joints. Its most common location is in the area of the distal interphalangeal joints: a tumor-like formation with synovial fluid content appears in the area of the nail phalanx, near the nail base.

The resulting neoplasm can exert excessive pressure on the growth area of the nail, causing its deformation.

Such a hygroma is diagnosed quite easily, visually it looks like a small subcutaneous dense nodule. If the tumor is located in the area of the flexor muscles of the finger, pronounced pain and deterioration of joint functions may occur during flexion-extension movements.

Hygroma on the wrist

More than 70% of synovial formations appear on the back of the wrist. The palmar and lateral surfaces, the area of the external transverse ligament are affected less often. Sometimes the appearance of a hygroma can be observed in the central part of the wrist joint, closer to the thumb.

The causes of hygroma on the wrist can be repeated injuries to the joint or significant loads on it, as well as previous surgical interventions on the hand.

These tumor-like formations occur when the joint capsule thins as a result of injuries or pathological processes. Disturbances in the structure of the tissue contribute to the formation of peculiar hernias from such a capsule, which are the extrusion of the weakened layer by the synovial fluid, moving the nearby tissues.

Hygroma is a harmless benign tumor that can develop over a long period of time without causing any problems. Such tumors generally occur without any pronounced symptoms, and only in some cases are they manifested by a slight aching pain and discomfort during movements.

Hygroma on a child's hand

The pathogenesis of this tumor-like neoplasm in children has not yet been sufficiently studied. There is also no clinically and pathogenetically substantiated classification. In general, the etiology and provoking factors of hygroma development in childhood differ little from those in adult patients. However, there are some minor features.

A hygroma on a child's hand may appear as a result of a traumatic hematoma. In such a case, the fluid contained inside the hematoma (residual blood elements) acquires a capsule and separates from the rest of the tissues.

Hygroma is more common on the wrist and occurs as a result of traumatic effects on the radius bone, or with incorrect and unqualified treatment of such injuries. Children's hygromas are especially often provoked by inadequate prescription of physiotherapy procedures and excessive heating of hematomas, supposedly to improve their resorption.

The tissues of a child's body are very delicate and vulnerable, so a significant increase in the tumor can put pressure on small blood vessels and nerve endings, causing trophic disorders, pain and decreased joint mobility.

Diagnosis of hygroma on the hand

Diagnosis of hygroma on the hand is usually carried out based on the results of a visual examination using the palpation method. Basically, this is quite enough to diagnose hygroma. In some situations, to exclude inflammatory and infectious diseases of the joints, an X-ray can be prescribed, and in complex cases, ultrasound diagnostics, computed tomography or puncture examination of the contents of the tumor formation with subsequent sending it for biochemical testing.

The ultrasound method provides the opportunity to characterize the structure of the hygroma, its content, the presence of blood vessels, etc. Magnetic resonance imaging shows the same results, only in much more detail and specificity.

An important point is the distinctive diagnostics of hygroma from other types of tumors and cysts (lipomas, atheromas, epitheliomas, etc.). In this case, it is necessary to evaluate not only the size of the formation, but also a number of other characteristic signs.

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Treatment of hygroma on the hand

About half of all cases of ganglion cysts may disappear on their own when the load on the hand and wrist is reduced. However, many types of formations still require some therapeutic intervention.

Treatment of hygroma on the hand can be carried out in different ways depending on the situation. Let's consider each of the options in detail.

Crushing of hygroma

This method is considered outdated and not entirely correct: the tumor was squeezed with fingers or pressed sharply with a flat object, as a result of which the synovial fluid was forcibly pushed into the joint cavity or into the surrounding tissues. The consequences of this method can be different. The most common is a relapse of the disease, but inflammatory processes and the addition of a purulent infection can also develop.

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Puncture of hygroma

This method is applicable to formations up to 1 centimeter in diameter. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia: synovial fluid from the hygroma is sucked out with a syringe, and a glucocorticoid agent is injected instead, which allows the walls of the capsule to grow together without causing relapses. After the puncture, it is necessary to wear a tight bandage for a month or more, as indicated.

Physiotherapy for hygroma on the hand

They involve the use of electrophoresis, ultraviolet radiation, warming procedures and applications.

Surgical and laser treatment of hygroma on the hand

Surgery is the most effective way to get rid of a hygroma. Local or conduction anesthesia is administered before the operation. The tumor is exposed through a small incision. By moving the surrounding tissues apart, the walls of the sac-like formation are carefully excised with a scalpel or laser beam, and the place of free fluid outlet is sutured. The duration of such an operation is about 30-40 minutes, depending on the complexity of the process, the external sutures are removed after 2 weeks.

Treatment of hygroma on the hand with folk remedies

Traditional medicine offers a large number of different recipes for getting rid of synovial formations. If you trust non-traditional methods, you can try some of them.

Alcohol compresses: alcohol or alcohol-containing liquid is used for the compress, applied to the formation and wrapped in cellophane.

Fresh cabbage leaves: mince, squeeze out the liquid and soak a piece of gauze in it; apply as a compress.

Use of Kombucha: used as a poultice.

Hay: take regular hay, brew it and thoroughly steam the area with the formation, for at least half an hour; after the procedure, lubricate the skin area with honey.

Using kerosene: treat the area above the hygroma with vegetable oil and apply a kerosene compress; hold for about 10-20 minutes up to four times a day, avoiding burning the outer skin.

Aloe with honey: crushed aloe leaf is mixed with honey and flour, forming a cake, which is then applied to the hygroma and wrapped in film; a similar cake can also be made from wet blue or green clay.

Which method to follow is, of course, up to you to decide, but it is better to consult with a more experienced specialist.

Prevention of hygroma on the hand

If you have a hereditary predisposition to the development of hygroma, it is quite difficult to protect yourself from its occurrence. Perhaps, in such a situation, some general recommendations will help:

• It is recommended to avoid increased repetitive stress on the wrist and hand, and to protect the high-risk area from accidental injury;
• if it is impossible to avoid strength training, use elastic bandages, tightly fixing the joint area;
• If you develop diseases such as acute and chronic bursitis or tendovaginitis, or if you suspect the occurrence of a hygroma, consult a doctor promptly without starting the process.

Preventive measures are also important to prevent relapses of the disease.

If the patient has already had a hygroma, the chosen method of its treatment is of great importance. For example, the greatest probability of relapse is observed when using the crushing method or folk remedies, while the most radical way to get rid of such formations is surgical.

Diet and drinking regimen play an important role in the formation of hygromas, so drink more clean water, eat nutritious food and try to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Prognosis of hygroma on the hand

The prognosis for hygroma on the hand is very favorable. Such a benign formation very rarely degenerates into a malignant tumor. Also, inflammation of the hygroma rarely occurs, although it tends to slowly but steadily increase.

This tumor-like formation responds quite well to treatment: surgery often eliminates relapses forever. The exception is poorly performed tissue excision, in which case relapse is almost inevitable.

Correct diagnosis of hygroma is extremely important, although it is quite difficult to confuse it with other types of tumors of the upper extremities.

In general, if this formation does not cause you any inconvenience, does not limit motor functions and does not spoil the appearance of the hand, then you can quite put up with it. In any case, try not to self-medicate, follow the advice of a specialist, and folk methods can be successfully combined with doctor's prescriptions - and then the effect of treatment will only increase.

If the hygroma on the hand is clearly growing, then you should not delay the operation, since a later visit to the doctor can significantly complicate and complicate further treatment.

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