Swelling At Base Of Index Finger.

[Tilly2]

Can anyone help with this at all? For the last three months, I have had a swelling on the left hand side of my right hand index finger. It is on the side of my finger, protruding towards my thumb.

I have seen two different GPs about this and neither knew what was the cause. One gave me antibiotics, which didn't help, and the other told me to apply ibupfrofen gel and take painkillers. She also arranged for an ultra sound scan to be done.

Both ruled out tendonitis and arthritis, as the swelling is in a strange place and the knuckle joints are not swollen. The pain comes if I inadvertently touch the swelling. It even hurts if I breathe on it!

My scan appointment is 12th. June.

Any ideas?

[Samuraisan]

I have a similar bump on my third toe. I have had it scanned by the orthopedic doc and he said it's arthritic and the day after tomorrow he is going to shave the bone down, as it is so painful all the time and makes it difficult to stand and walk. So if it hurts to the touch could be similar. They will be able to tell with the scan. Patience !

[Tilly2]

I am being patient, Sam. I have no other choice. I just wanted to know if anyone else had any ideas as to what it could be. Good luck with the bone shaving procedure though, Sam. It sounds drastic!

[jakep]

I had a swelling on the side of the middle finger, right hand. It was uncomfortable more than painful. An X-ray revealed what the GP described to me as a cyst on the bone. She said it would go on it’s own eventually. She was correct.

[Sqad]

it sounds like a rheumatic nodule and the advice given by the Dr who suggested Ibuprofen gel and painkillers is on the right track EXCEPT I would give Ibuprofen by mouth.
Whatever it doesn't strike a serious note.

[Tilly2]

I hope it is a cyst which will disappear, Jakep. :-)

Squad, there is no swelling or pain in either of the knuckles above or below the lump.
Nothing hurts, except when the lump is touched.
I do hope it's not anything to do with rheumatoid arthritis. :-(

[Sqad]

Tilly....have you got rheumatoid arthritis?

[Tilly2]

No, Sqad. Not that I know of.

[Sqad]

Right.....it is a ganglion...a type of cyst which may well be pressing on a nerve.
No big deal....not cancerous.
It may need excising if it doesn't behave.

[Tilly2]

Ohhh! It feels like a sack of fluid, about the size of an almond.

Better that than than RA, though...

[Sqad]

Its a ganglion.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Sqad. I'll have a google and see what's what.

[Sqad]

Tilly Google ganglion of finger NOT of wrist.

[Tilly2]

Thanks again, Sqad.

I could cope with an aspiration. Been there and done that on other parts of my anatomy.

I'll let you know how I get on.

[237SJ]

Bursitis?

[Sqad]

237....good call........maybe, but bursitis of the fingers is uncommon.

[Tilly2]

I had the scan on my finger yesterday and it was a bit inconclusive. All she could say was that it was a sack of fluid. She did say it was not a ganglion, as it was too malleable.
So, still no explanation. She just said she's write to my GP and the GP would take it from there.

[jennyjoan]

Tilly I know you have been given some advice here but my brother had this on his finger - sista had it on her wrist.

dupuytren's contracture

Brother never done anything about it but sista was told to slam her wrist with a Bible (probably an old tale) - but hers went away of its own accord.

I did have bursitis many years ago in the groin and shoulder (fluid) and it was extremely painful. As Sqad says I think you need to take the Ibuprofen. Hope you feel ok soon.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Jenny Joan. I'm fine. It doesn't actually hurt any more, it just looks very odd.

[jennyjoan]

well Good Luck - I did forget to say that when my brother had it - this dupy thing actually pulled his finger down and it annoyed him

[Prudie]

I'm sure the banging of the bible cure is aimed at ganglions - dupuytren's contracture is the hard lumps that can develop into pulling the fingers in and need surgery to remove?