Masses of the Hand

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Johanna R. Krebiehl

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Meet Our Specialist

Dr. Krebiehl is a native to Michigan. She graduated with honors from Wayne State University in 2006. She continued on to medical school at…

What are Masses of the Hand?

Any abnormal bump or lump of the hand or wrist is considered a tumor. The term “tumor” does not necessarily mean it is malignant or that is cancerous. Tumors can occur on the hand or wrist as a mole or wart or underneath the skin, soft tissue, and bone. There are many types of tumors that can occur on the hands and wrists because there are many different types of tissue in the hand. Common types of tumors include:

  • Ganglion cysts: Fluid-filled, non-cancerous masses that usually occur on the hand, wrist, and fingers.They are typically round or oval-shaped and contain a jelly-like fluid.
  • Giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath: Tumors commonly found on the palmar surface of the index, middle, and ring fingers. Over time, these tumors may cause uncomfortable symptoms and need to be removed.
  • Epidermal inclusion cysts: Keratin-filled cysts thatform just beneath the skin where there may have been a puncture or cut.
  • Dupuytren’s nodules: These are hard knots that form due to the thickening of tissue beneath the skin on the palm of the hand. They are the result of Dupuytren’s disease.

Who can Benefit from Treatment?

Individuals who are bothered by the look or feel of abnormal masses on their hand or wrist can benefit from treatment. Please contact our office today to schedule an appointment regarding diagnosis and available treatment options.

Treatment Options

The treatment option that is best for you will depend on the type of mass and the location of the mass. While certain medications may be helpful for reducing swelling or discomfort temporarily, surgery is generally an effective option for removing cysts or masses that cause discomfort or may cause damage to underlying structures. To determine if surgery is right for you, seek the opinion of a surgeon near you.

It is important that you do not try to burst or drain a cyst by yourself at home, as this could lead to an infection, spread infection, or cause scarring.

Hand Mass Recovery

Following surgery to remove a hand mass, you will have stitches inside and out of the tissue to minimize scarring. Tenderness and mild pain may be experienced, which can easily be managed with over-the-counter pain medications. Our team will provide you with specific post-op instructions regarding how to keep your incision site clean for the best results. Your overall recovery length will depend on the size and placement of the mass.

Hand Masses Testimonial

Patient's Story

“Great results – better then I could have imagined- Over thrilled with the results and the office -staff prior to and during surgery- also post op care was amazing!”

Patient reviews

State of the art Surgical Facility

Our operating facility is conveniently located on the sixth floor of the Exhibitor’s Building adjacent to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our surgical facility is accredited by the AAAHC, or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. This association is committed to improving quality care provided to patients by reviewing standards, performance, and safety of our facility.

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Contact Us Today

Are you bothered by a mass on your hand or wrist? If so, do not hesitate to contact Plastic Surgery Associates today! Your first step will be to schedule a consultation appointment at our Grand Rapids office with Dr. Krebiehl, our highly trained hand surgeon and plastic surgeon.

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