MRI results | Arthritis Information

My very Dreamy...Rheumy called with the results of my wrist MRI this evening after 6:00 PM, I was taken back because of the dinner hour, and thought he is dedicated. The results could of waited. It was good news and not so good. He said the joints look good and very little inflammation ( meds working ) , but I do have a huge synovium or ganglion cyst that goes thru my wrist joint and is wrapped around tendons and such. He said it was very large, that usually they are small pea size, so he told me there is three things I can do and none of them are good...he said I could do nothing, but he believes this will not go away because of the extent it has grown, he said I could have it drained and try to get the goo (his terminology) out and treat it with cortisone injection, or I could have surgery. ( yikes)

He said he wants me to have it evaluated by a hand surgeon and if the hand surgeon thinks he can get it removed then I should consider, he said if he does not want to operate than he would try draining it himself, and treat with injection. ...So good news, no erosions, and it looks like my treatment is working. This is long and wordy, but it is pretty much how it went...just thought I would share for those who might have a cyst in their wrist.

I will say I was surprised when he said it was ONE cyst. I would of sworn I had three, he said nope, it is all connected. Go figure. I really respect my rheumy. So he is making the appointment to be back to back with my follow up with him May 22.

Thanks for listening.

It sounds like you've got a great RD

Is he referring you to a surgeon or do you just get to pick one? I hope he says that it can be fixed with draining/injection. Wrist surgery sounds scary!

Co Mel, not stupid question and yes..I have a cyst on my wrist on the inside of my wrist this is a smaller size like grape size, then on top of my hand near the base of my thumb I have a large lump, then I have a large lump near my wrist but on the forearm side. That is why I thought I had three cysts. But apparently they are all connected.

Sorry I missed the second question, He is referring me to one. He asked if I preferred anyone and nope I don't, he said his office will contact me.

Tink I have no experience with this but just wanted to wish you good luck in making your decision. Please let us know what you decide and your results!Bummer Tink! I had a ganglion removed from my wrist about 10 years ago, long before RA. It was a fiasco... the surgeon accidentally severed a tendon to my index finger. It's fine now but took a long time to get there. But not to be discouraged as ganglions are relatively benign. If I were to do it again, I would have it drained on the first try because that is relatively simple to do and at worst it comes back again and then you do the surgery. However, I know folks who have these removed surgically and have done great. Mine was an atypical case. The good news is that there is some relief if you choose one of these. it never hurts to have a hand surgeon look at our hands/wrists failrly early in the disease course...too many people wait until its too late...you might also ask for a referral to hand therapy to learn how ro protect your hand/wrist joints

Thanks guys, I am not going to worry about it to much, just yet. I will wait and see what the surgeon thinks, then I will run past my Rheumy, my GP and my FAVORITE dentist..

before I let anyone cut on me. I would prefer the draining, I wish you guys could see it..or "them"...I am amazed that is is really all one large cyst..it looks like three seperate one to me..hmmp..

sounds like a good doc!! best on the cyst draining... I've had it done.... and I've slammed one w/ a book and busted it open too..... dumb dumb dumb..I was very young.

My husband said he could get his Grandmas Bible and take a whack....I didn't like the look in his eyeLindyMy husband had one and then one day as mysteriously as it appeared- it was gone!
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