Carpel Boss

[goodchip]

i know this discussion is old, but I've been googling carpal boss ever since the bump on the back of my hand became painful. This is the best discussion I've come across, so I joined the forum to hopefully get some questions answered.
I've been referred to a plastic surgeon, but my appointment isn't until November.
I'm not a fencing enthusiast, I play recreational golf. I've had the boss on my right hand for years, and a small one on my left hand. The right one was fine (no pain) until recently I played a golf shot ( a low draw) that required me to roll my wrists over. It felt like someone had driven a nail into the back of my hand.
Since I only play once a week, after a day or two of rest, the pain goes away. But after every round of golf, it is quite painful.

So to get to my question....
I can live with a bit of pain. I can take ibuprofen for the pain, but I don't want to cause any (more) damage. Will continuing to play golf and irritate this thing cause more damage? Our golf season is too short in Canada to have to take a month (or a season) off!
Thanks in advance for tolerating a non fencer posting on your board!

[DonnaP]

1. Do you know for a fact you have a boss?
2. ?? A five month wait for a referral??
3. Why a plastic surgeon??

[goodchip]

Originally Posted by DonnaP

1. Do you know for a fact you have a boss?
2. ?? A five month wait for a referral??
3. Why a plastic surgeon??

1. No, but everything I've been able to find on the net, including pictures and descriptions, leads me to believe this is what I have. My GP did not diagnose it, hence the referral.
http://www.eorthopod.com/public/pati...the_wrist.html
2. This is Canada. Free health care, if you live long enough to get in to see your specialist.
3. Don't know really. This is Canada, where you put your faith in the "system", even if it steers you in the wrong direction.

[DonnaP]

Well, the positive point is that if it is a boss or ganglion, the five month wait may be uncomfortable for you, but not necessarily detrimental to the condition. All providing you have one of the above. My concern always is that until difinitive diagnosis, there is always the n = 1 where it is the "one in a million" odd ball diagnosis that should have been treated right away.

In the US, plastic surgeons do specialize in hand surgery, though it is a small percentage. Having worked with both ortho and plastic surgeons, either can be good - yet for bone stuff I still prefer the ortho's.

Do you live near the states? Would coming over the border be an option for you? Just thinking that I could possibly get you a hand surgeon referral if you were interested in that option.

Otherwise - it sounds to me if your pain increases after the golfing, you may be swelling from the use. If so - take a look at your golf swing - if you're a recreational golfer, you may be able to work on your swing dynamics to decrease the stress on the wrist on both ends of the swing. A soft wrist support (no metal braces inside) that gives some gentle compression may help with the swelling. Icing afterwards - a good 10 - 15 minutes with a compression/ace wrap. Ibuprofen is fine or naprosyn.

Hope it works out for you.

[Fencergrl]

If you're in Vancouver, I'm surprised that the wait is that long. It only took a few weeks for me as I have a ganglion in my thumb joint.

Try putting your wrist in icy cold water for pain relief. I find this to be effective. If the pain still persists. Consider alternating from hot to cold to break the pain cycle.

I also agree that a brace of some sort that restricts the motion may also help. The pain is caused by the lump interfering with your normal range of motion. I also had a ganglion on the back of my hand years ago. It settled down on it's own.

[goodchip]

Thanks for all the responses!
I'm in Edmonton, a good 6 hours from the border, and 9 from the nearest US city of any consequence.
I'll look for a support bandage and try that. I've modified my swing a bit to use more of my left (lower) hand, with surprisingly decent results (the golf shots I mean!)
I'm going to check out a couple of sports medicine cllinics as well that may offer a quicker diagnosis and treatment option.
In the meantime, its bandage, ibuprofin and ice.
I also suspect that after golf season, lots of rest will be an excellent option.

[LeeC16]

Thank you all for this great discussion on Carpal bosses.
I don't fence,,, but I googled the net, and this discussion was right on the subject for me..
So;;;;; what I have developed over the last few years are of course, carpal bosses,,, on both hands.
I love to golf, and last time I played, I could barely finish... The stinging from the club made my hands weak, and HURT.... I tried everything I could think of to change my grip, swing plane, etc etc etc... I've been golfing since I was knee high to a grasshopper,,, and I finally realized that maybe I should talk to my Doctor...I also work CAD all day,, which is another part of the diagnoses....
Anyway,,, Dr M , a hand specialist and surgeon looks at the darn bumps,,, and after xrays and probing says "I suggest you don't do anything"....
I replied "Doc, I can't golf anymore, and I'm not prepared to give GOLF up"...
SO He says " I can remove the boss,,, and by the way, I use a CHISEL... but I've seen these grow back in 4 MONTHS" And I look at him and asked" Why did I get these?" and he replies" It's just the luck of the draw......"


SO, ANYWAY, I have surgery scheduled for November 10th, 2008... I will post back to this site as I am able.


PS,,,, he promised I'd have a 4 handicap again