Carpometacarpal bossing
Encyclopedia
Carpometacarpal bossing or Metacarpal is a small, immovable mass of bone on the back of the wrist. The mass occurs in one of the joints between the carpus
and metacarpus of the hand
, called the carpometacarpal joint
s, where a small immovable protuberance occurs when this joint becomes swollen
or bossed.
. This condition can result in sensitivity in the immediate area and/or an unsightly bulge on the back of the hand. In most cases, the boss does not result in any injury or further problems, but in some cases, the patient may feel pain, aching, or even possibly a slight lack of mobility in the wrist joint.
Often, this condition will be mistaken for a ganglion cyst
due to its location and external appearance.
A carpometacarpal boss may exist from birth or may be the result of a trauma or injury in the affected area. There are also indications that those with careers involving repetitive movements in the hands and fingers may develop this condition. Typically, this condition will begin to show itself in the 3rd or 4th decade.
Carpus
In tetrapods, the carpus is the sole cluster of bones in the wrist between the radius and ulna and the metacarpus. The bones of the carpus do not belong to individual fingers , whereas those of the metacarpus do. The corresponding part of the foot is the tarsus...
and metacarpus of the hand
Hand
A hand is a prehensile, multi-fingered extremity located at the end of an arm or forelimb of primates such as humans, chimpanzees, monkeys, and lemurs...
, called the carpometacarpal joint
Carpometacarpal joint
The carpometacarpal joints are five joints in the wrist that articulates the distal row of carpal bones and the proximal bases of the five metacarpal bones....
s, where a small immovable protuberance occurs when this joint becomes swollen
Swelling (medical)
In medical parlance, swelling is the transient enlargement or protuberance in the body and may include tumors. According to cause, it may be congenital, traumatic, inflammatory, neoplastic or miscellaneous....
or bossed.
Clinical significance
The carpometacarpal joint is usually found at the base of the second and third metacarpal bones at the point where they meet the small bones of the wristWrist
In human anatomy, the wrist is variously defined as 1) the carpus or carpal bones, the complex of eight bones forming the proximal skeletal segment of the hand;...
. This condition can result in sensitivity in the immediate area and/or an unsightly bulge on the back of the hand. In most cases, the boss does not result in any injury or further problems, but in some cases, the patient may feel pain, aching, or even possibly a slight lack of mobility in the wrist joint.
Often, this condition will be mistaken for a ganglion cyst
Ganglion cyst
A ganglion cyst, also known as a bible cyst, is a swelling that often appears on or around joints and tendons in the hand or foot. The size of the ganglion or cyst can vary over time. It is most frequently located around the dorsum of the wrist and on the fingers...
due to its location and external appearance.
A carpometacarpal boss may exist from birth or may be the result of a trauma or injury in the affected area. There are also indications that those with careers involving repetitive movements in the hands and fingers may develop this condition. Typically, this condition will begin to show itself in the 3rd or 4th decade.