High School

A tennis player complains of a bump that has formed over her wrist. She does not report any pain or other symptoms, except for the small bump. The bump has been present for 2 weeks.

What condition/injury is this?

A. Ganglion Cyst
B. Boutonniere Deformity
C. Scaphoid Fracture
D. Ulnar Nerve Contusion

Answer :

The small, painless bump on the tennis player’s wrist is most likely an A. Ganglion Cyst.

This condition typically affects the tendons or joints of the wrist. For any changes in size or pain, further medical evaluation is suggested.

Identifying the Bump on the Wrist

Based on the symptoms described by the tennis player, the most likely condition is a Ganglion Cyst (Option A). A ganglion cyst is a noncancerous lump that often develops along the tendons or joints of wrists or hands. These cysts are usually round or oval and filled with a jelly-like fluid. The fact that the player does not experience any pain or other symptoms aligns well with the typical presentation of a ganglion cyst, which generally is not painful unless it presses on a nerve.

In contrast, Boutonniere deformity (Option B) involves a distinct finger injury, a Scaphoid fracture (Option C) includes pain and complications following a fall, and an Ulnar nerve contusion (Option D) would involve nerve-related symptoms like numbness or tingling.

Step-by-Step Diagnosis

  1. Observation: Noted presence of a small bump over the wrist without pain.
  2. Duration: The bump has been present for 2 weeks.
  3. Conclusion: Diagnosis suggests a ganglion cyst based on lack of pain and presentation of symptoms.

If the bump changes in size or becomes painful, the player should seek medical advice for further evaluation and possible treatment options, such as aspiration or surgery if necessary.