Is Surgery The Only Option For Recurring Wrist Lipoma?

Question

I understand lipoma's can recur if some tissue was missed upon removal. That seems to be my issue after having a lipoma in my wrist removed 16 months ago. Unfortunately it causes me pain if I use my hand for long periods of time and seems to get larger as well (Swelling of the wrist causing it to become more raised?) Is there any other option other than sugery to fix this?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that occur under the skin and less commonly within the muscle. They are associated with mild discomfort and a lump underneath the skin. It is always best to talk to an expert plastic surgeon to determine whether the lipoma is possibly a cyst or a tumor or hernia. We would have to remove the lipoma to be sure that it is not something else and we usually do this by sending it to a pathologist for evaluation. If a lipoma is painful, then an exam is needed to make sure it is not compressing on a nerve or whether the diagnosis is different. Aftercare for a lipoma includes gentle compression and Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily on the wound.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Justin Yovino, MD, FACS · Answer

A lipoma of the wrist is an unusual location so I would be sure that the pathology report states that it is truly is a lipoma. Another common mass in that region would be a ganglion cyst and they can recur. I would also recommend an MRI to evaluate the size and location of your current mass. This will help guide the surgeon during the removal. If it is really a lipoma, then there really isn't another option other than surgery.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Generally, we see ganglion cysts in the wrist and not lipomas.  Ganglions present with raised swelling and it is not uncommon for them to recur.   Ask your surgeon what the pathology report revealed.  You may need an MRI before a treatment plan can be established.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

You need to make sure that what you are describing is a LIPOMA and not a GANGLION CYST of the wrist.

	If it is a lipoma, it couls be intra articular lipoma(in the joint).

	You may need an MRI of the wrist and see a hand specialist

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

I would suggest going back to your original surgeon who did the "lipoma removal" and make sure that the pathology report from the biopsy shows lipoma. As the other surgeons stated this is a common area for a ganglion cyst and it is common that they recur. If it is a Lipoma then surgical removal is the only option. Best regards!

Is Surgery The Only Option For Recurring Wrist Lipoma?

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Is Surgery The Only Option For Recurring Wrist Lipoma?

Answers (5)

Answer: Lipoma

Answer: Lipoma

Answer: Lipoma surgery

Answer: Lipoma surgery

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Everything you need to know about Lipoma Removal

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