Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Over 8 yrs ago I had surgery on my right thumb in which the base joint was fused and a plate & screws attached. It went very well & I was a compliant patient & massaged the incision as directed & have a very faint 4" scar. Over the last 6 weeks a lump has started to form around one of the screws. It's about the size of a pea, not overly squishy, but not a hard lump either. Has anyone else had this? I will go to a doctor to have it checked out, but which one? Family, rheumatologist, or the plastic surgeon who did the surgery?
If I were you, I would go back to whomever did the surgery. If that is not possible, find a well-trained hand specialist and start there. Wouldn't hurt to talk to your rheumy, too. It's kind of sad how little most orthopedists seem to know about inflammatory arthritis.
I have had a number of cysts in my hands, and they often seem to crop up where there is some sort of irritant.