The key difference between carpal boss and ganglion cyst is that carpal boss is a condition that causes a bump to form on the back of the wrist or hand where the carpal and metacarpal bones usually meet, while ganglion cyst is a condition that causes a fluid-filled lump to form under the skin, usually over a joint or in a tendon in hand and wrist.
Some people have a bump or lump on the hand or wrist. There are a few conditions that have similar symptoms. Therefore, carpal boss and ganglion cysts are two medical conditions that cause bumps or lumps to form on the hand or wrist.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Carpal Boss
3. What is Ganglion Cyst
4. Similarities – Carpal Boss and Ganglion Cyst
5. Carpal Boss vs. Ganglion Cyst in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Carpal Boss vs. Ganglion Cyst
What is Carpal Boss?
Carpal boss is a condition that causes a bony lump to form on the back of the hand. It occurs on the back of the wrist, usually where the pointer finger and middle finger meet the wrist bones. The carpal boss can be caused by osteoarthritis, congenital issues, overuse (repetitive wrist motions), and trauma such as smacking the back of the hand. The symptoms of carpal boss may include a firm bump or lump on the back of the wrist or hand, bumps becoming tender to the touch or painful when moving the wrist, and painful snapping of nearby tendons when moving over the bony lump.
Figure 01: Carpal Boss
Carpal boss can be diagnosed through physical examinations, X-rays, and MRI scans. Furthermore, treatment options for a carpal boss may include wearing a splint or bandage to immobilize the wrist, taking over-the-counter pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen), icing the affected area, injecting a corticosteroid into the lump, and surgery.
What is Ganglion Cyst?
A ganglion cyst is a lump that most frequently appears along tendons or joints of wrists or hands. It may also appear on ankles and feet. Common features of a ganglion cyst may include round or oval shapes, often small and initially painless, but if the cyst presses on a nerve or other structures, it can lead to pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness while also gradually increasing in size. The cause of this condition is not known yet. The risk factors for ganglion cysts include sex and age (ganglion cysts can affect anyone but most often occur in women between the ages of 20 and 40), osteoarthritis, and joint or tendon injury.
Figure 02: Ganglion Cyst
Ganglion cysts can be diagnosed through physical examinations, X-rays, MRI scans, and ultrasound. Furthermore, the treatment options for ganglion cysts may include wearing a brace or splint to keep the joint still for a time, draining the cysts, and surgery that involves removing the ganglion cyst and the stalk that attaches it to the joint or tendon.
What are the Similarities Between Carpal Boss and Ganglion Cyst?
- Carpal boss and ganglion cysts are two medical conditions that cause bumps or lumps to form on the hand or wrist.
- Both conditions can affect anyone, including people of both sexes.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examinations and imaging tests.
- They are treated through therapies and surgeries.
What is the Difference Between Carpal Boss and Ganglion Cyst?
Carpal boss is a condition that causes a bump to form on the back of the hand where the carpal and metacarpal bones usually meet, while ganglion cyst is a condition that causes a fluid-filled lump to form under the skin, usually over a joint or in a tendon in hand and wrist. Thus, this is the key difference between carpal boss and ganglion cyst. Furthermore, the risk factors for carpal boss include age (40 or less than 40 years aged people more likely to develop this condition) and sex. On the other hand, the risk factors for ganglion cysts include sex and age (ganglion cysts can affect anyone but most often occur in women between the ages of 20 and 40), osteoarthritis, and joint or tendon injury.
The infographic below presents the differences between carpal boss and ganglion cyst in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Carpal Boss vs Ganglion Cyst
Carpal boss and ganglion cyst are two hand and wrist conditions that cause bump or lump to form on the hand or wrist. Carpal boss causes a bony lump to form on the back of the wrist or hand, while ganglion cyst causes a lump to appear most often along the tendons or joints of wrists or hands. So, this is the key difference between carpal boss and ganglion cyst.
Reference:
1. Santos-Longhurst, Adrienne. “Carpal Boss: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” Healthline.
2. “Ganglion Cysts.” Nation Wide Children’s org.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Ganglion Cyst on the palmar side of the left wrist” By Romina24 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Metacarpal boss” By Aciccone (talk) – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia