Question
Hi, I have developed a 1-1.5 cm bump slightly above the "tall man" middle knuckle. It is on the side next to my ring finger. The bump seems, on palpation to be a fairly thick walled gelatinous cyst over a slight bony protruberance that did not used to be there! You can, via pressure, push the fluid out and the bump goes down for a little while...ie 15 minutes. The joint is fairly free moving, but the area was very tender and sore for the first few days after the bump appeared. I had been moving a friend and had been using my hands a lot the day before. A month down the road, the bump and cyst remain, only marginally tender and the joint is only slightly stiff although I retain full range of motion.

Is this the first sign of osteoarthritis? And if so, what should I do?

I have, on the advice of my doc (who barely looked at it), begun taking chondritin to slow the advance of any budding osteoarthritis. My goal being to extend the use of my hands as long as possible....most of my hobbies and interests, including the ones that I hope carry me through retirement and old age) involve using my hands (keyboarding, sewing, etc.). I am a 51 year old Caucasian female, FWIW!

Thanks for answering my question!

Answer
Janet,

This is not the first sign of osteoarthritis. It is not a sign of osteoarthritis at all. I am surprised that your doctor recommended taking a supplement to prevent the advancement of arthritis based on this. I suppose he did it to make you feel better.

If it continues and does not improve then ask your doctor to find out what is causing it. It sounds like a cyst and there is not connection between a cyst and osteoarthritis.

Rusty
http://arthritis-symptom.com/Osteoarthritis-Symptoms/index.htm