Ultrasound

[ks1966]

Good day 🙏

I had an ultrasound sound guided steroid injection appoint. for a lump on the side of my wrist yesterday. The technician didn’t go ahead with the injection. He said that it was a “solid lump”. I’m really worried as to why he chose not too. He wasn’t very helpful when I asked. I’ve seen so many pictures of the type of lump I have online and it seems to be common with people who Rheumatoid arthritis like me. I’d really appreciate your thoughts and any experiences you may have had.

Xoxo

[Hidden]

My understanding is the purpose of steroid injections is to reduce inflammation inside a joint. If the lump is not inflammation, and/or there’s no evidence of joint inflammation on the ultrasound, and/or the lump prevents the correct and safe administration of the injection, any of those may be why they haven’t done it. If there was no internal inflammation and the lump is something else like a node, or perhaps a cyst, a steroid jab probably wouldn’t be appropriate as it wouldn’t do anything. Many different kinds of lumps actually look quite similar, and it may also be that the technician wasn’t appropriately qualified to determine what the lump is. Have you tried to contact your rheumatology team to ask them why the jab was refused?

[ks1966 in reply to Hidden]

Yes. I’m still waiting for their call back. I’m just worried it may something sinister. The last time I heard “solid lump” was bad news

[Sheila_G]

It could be a ganglion. I haven't heard of them for years but I had to have one removed in my twenties. It looked like a big bone stuck out of the top of my hand. I have had no problems with it since. You didn't say if the lump was painful, as I remember this wasn't just annoying. I would suggest going back to GP and asking if that's what it could be. If it is, it isn't anything sinister or to worry about. I hope you get it sorted.

[bpeal1 in reply to Sheila_G]

Unlikely to be a ganglion as first line treatment for these now is a steroid injection. They will only remove them if the steroid didn’t work.

Definitely speak to rheumatology or your GP, there are loads of things it could be.

[Sheila_G in reply to bpeal1]

It is a very long time ago. It was just a thought.

[oldtimer]

It may well be a bony outgrowth. They are quite common around joints which have been inflamed. I've developed quite a few over the years around my wrist.