Wrist bone getting bigger

[Kati66]

Hi everyone

I’ve recently noticed the bobbly bone on my right wrist is twice the size of the left. It’s like the bone has grown! It’s not painful when I touch it and it’s not squishy or moveable. Has anyone else experienced this? I wondered about a ganglion but it doesn’t seem to fit that description.

One thing I’ve discovered over the past five years ago is that we almost become hyper vigilant over changes in our bodies, such as new pains or symptoms. I think now I may have health anxiety!🙄🙄

Best wishes

Kati xxx

[Gjbrose]

hi I had same issue at start of my rheumatoid journey in 2019 many different opinions including carpal tunnel and dequervins but eventually I was diagnosed with rheumatoid and that was nearly 5 years ago!!

It has returned to its normal size with my medication over the years, think it sounds like inflammation mine was red swollen and my wrist was so painful that I wore a splint, hope this helps.

I have a photo I can send xx

Swollen wrist

[Kati66 in reply to Gjbrose]

Hi Gjbrose,

Oh yes!! This looks very similar to mine

I’ve had carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands but had surgery on them both in 2021 and 2022. They still play up occasionally and I have to resort to my splints. I was diagnosed with RA about a year ago but knowing what I do now, it probably started a few years earlier.

Kati xxx

[AgedCrone]

Unfortunately your problem is not unusual…..you say it’s not painful, so,it’s unlikely to be a ganglion. I know from painful experience how painful ganglion’s are. But if it is a ganglion they are easily &/painlessly dealt with.

Do ask you Rheumy to have a look at it next time you see him,/her.

[Kati66 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks, I will definitely mention it at my next appointment 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[BoneyC]

I think, (not a doctor!) you are referring to your ulna styloid. Both of mine are very prominent too. It's as if the joint has 'drifted' away from where it should be.

[Kati66 in reply to BoneyC]

I didn’t know it was called that but I thought it was related to the Ulna. I’ve had problems with my wrists due to RA but I was puzzled to see the bone enlarging.

Kati xxx

[BoneyC in reply to Kati66]

Mine have been like that for quite a long time 15-20 years. My elbow and shoulder surgeon has mentioned them, but left well alone. My wrists have fused on their own without surgery. Currently awaiting an elbow replacement. It's sometimes annoying to knock an ulnar styloid say on a door frame as there's not much flesh covering the bone.

[Ryka]

Ah! I had the same thing in the beginning of my RA journey. My GP even scanned to see what was happening. He couldn't figure it out. And since it didn't hurt he said "we wait and see". And one day I noticed that it has disappeared. Did it disappear on that day? Had it been gone a while? No clue.

[Kati66 in reply to Ryka]

Oh that’s odd it just disappeared! I will mention it to the consultant when I next see him. It’s about twice the size of the left one. Thanks for the reply

Kati xxx

[Sheila_G]

Yes. Mine is the same. I have had a ganglion and it was nothing like that. I'm afraid it is probably all part of the RA joint changes. On saying that, ask your rheumatologist about it on your next visit.

[Julia31]

Hi. My wrists are the same, my right is bigger than my left and I find I can only bend my hands back so far. I think it's caused by my RA and as Sheila says, part of the changes caused by it.

[Otto11]

I have similar or same on both wrists the right much more prominent than the left. I thought they were the ends of the bone where I had lost muscle 🤷🏻‍♀️. They are hard but don’t hurt.

[Daisylazy4]

Hi yes the exact thing happened to me on the right hand. I also have bones that have shifted on my left hand. Unfortunately with RA the hands and feet are mostly affected due to the small joints. One specific “new bone” I discovered last week my rheumatologist said it was a cyst. I thought that was interesting. Can’t tell the difference.