Is Surgery The Only Option For Recurring Wrist Lipoma?

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

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.

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.