Wrist Bumps: Carpometacarpal Boss

If you have experienced a bony wrist bump at the back of your hand, you may be experiencing a Carpometacarpal Boss. Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps develop on the back of the wrist, at the meeting point of the wrist bones and the pointer and middle fingers. Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps (a condition also known as a bossing) are bony overgrowths that, while annoying and uncomfortable, are typically not a great source of intense pain.

In this article, we will discuss everything there is to know about Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps, and what Macomb County patients should do if they experience this condition.

Who Gets Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps

The precise cause of Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps remains unknown to medical professionals. Some causes of Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps have been observed to occur in the aftermath of a traumatic injury, while others develop following activities -such as golf or racquet sports- that involve repetitive wrist motion.

Macomb County Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bump patients typically fall between the range of 20 and 40 years of age. Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps occur equally in men and women, and while can occasionally be found in both wrists, is typically only found in one.

Diagnosing Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps

The first sing of a Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bump is noticing a firm, immovable bump located on the back of the hand or wrist. Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps may be accompanied by an aching sensation, but may also be completely painless. When Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps are painful, the pain usually occurs when the wrist is moved upward or downward. The tendons that straighten the fingers over the boss may also experience a snapping sensation, which depending on the case, may or may not be painful.

Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps are often misidentified as ganglion cysts, which are similar in appearance and occur in the same locations. While they are two separate conditions, Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps can also result in the development of ganglion cysts over time.

While the exact cause of Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps remains something of a mystery, medical professionals -such as board certified Macomb County hand surgeon Dr. Rehman- believe they may be related to a number of conditions. One possible cultrate is osteoarthritis, which is a breakdown of cartilage at the finger joints, causing bones to rub together.

Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps are also believed to possibly be a congenital issue, meaning the patient’s bones may have fused incorrectly at birth. Another theory is that Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps may simply occur from overuse or from trauma. Whatever the cause, anyone in the Macomb County area who wishes to treat their Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps are encouraged to schedule a consultation with expert hand doctor Uzma Rehman.

Treating Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps

Once you are sure the wrist bump is a Carpometacarpal Boss and not something more serious, some people may choose to just live with. But if the appearance of the unsightly bump bothers you, or if it involves pain, Macomb County board certified hand surgeon Dr. Rehman offers several treatment options.

Depending on the problems caused by the Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps, as well as how long our Macomb County patients have been afflicted by the condition, different treatment approaches may be considered. If your Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps do not cause pain, or if their appearance is not bothersome, no treatment whatsoever is required.

But if your Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps are at all painful, any movements or tasks that trigger the pain should be avoided. Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bump patients should then seek treatment from a board certified hand surgeon like Dr. Rehman, in Macomb County.

Several treatment options exist for Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps, which include icing the painful area, immobilizing and resting the wrist with a wrist splint, and over the counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Motrin. Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps can also be treated with steroid injections. In more severe cases, Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps may also be removed surgically, by board certified Macomb County hand surgeon Dr. Rehman.

While surgery is usually a last resort for treating Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps, it may be recommended if the boss has caused pain for a lengthy period of time, or if other, non-surgical treatment has been unsuccessful.

During surgery, the Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps will be removed. For the first few weeks after surgery, Macomb County patients may continue experiencing pain and swelling to the treatment area. In cases where pain lasts longer than a few months, a separate surgery may be required to fuse the joint.

Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bump Doctor – Macomb County

Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps may be a source of discomfort, but fortunately, anyone in the Macomb County area can visit the practice of board certified hand surgeon Dr. Uzma Rehman for treatment. For more information on what to do about Carpometacarpal Boss Wrist Bumps, contact us today for a consultation.

Doctor Rehman will assess your individual situation, and prescribe the treatments that are best for your condition.

Macomb County Wrist Bump Doctor: 248.335.2638