Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
I Have A "lump" Of Swelling On The Inside Of
Question: I have a "lump" of swelling on the inside of my right arm to the left of the inside bend..
I notice that I have the same "general" anatomy on the inside of the left arm, to the right of the inside bend, but that one is not swollen. I work in the laboratory and use the right arm to navigate the microscope quite a lot.
What could this possibly be?
I notice that I have the same "general" anatomy on the inside of the left arm, to the right of the inside bend, but that one is not swollen. I work in the laboratory and use the right arm to navigate the microscope quite a lot.
What could this possibly be?
Brief Answer:
Please, if you could provide some more information
Detailed Answer:
HI and Welcome to ask a doctor service.
I have read your question and here is my advice.
Having lumps or Swelling underneath the skin are common problems. The reasons are many and most are not serious.
As the causes are too much like Dermoid cyst, bursa, lymph node, or lipoma so it's difficult to say. I would like if you could tell us little more about it like
1. Since how long it is there?
2. What's the size and is there any rapid increase in size?
3. Is it painful?
4. How does it feel on touch: hard /Soft/ Or cystic like filled with fluid?
We will be in a good position to say something specific if you could please provide these pieces of information.
Looking forward to these details...
Kind regards
Dr. Rahman
Please, if you could provide some more information
Detailed Answer:
HI and Welcome to ask a doctor service.
I have read your question and here is my advice.
Having lumps or Swelling underneath the skin are common problems. The reasons are many and most are not serious.
As the causes are too much like Dermoid cyst, bursa, lymph node, or lipoma so it's difficult to say. I would like if you could tell us little more about it like
1. Since how long it is there?
2. What's the size and is there any rapid increase in size?
3. Is it painful?
4. How does it feel on touch: hard /Soft/ Or cystic like filled with fluid?
We will be in a good position to say something specific if you could please provide these pieces of information.
Looking forward to these details...
Kind regards
Dr. Rahman
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
1. How long has it been there?
Approximately 4 weeks...corresponds to when I started using the microscope at work,
manipulating it and focuses with my right hand/arm.
2. What's the size and is there rapid increase in size?
The size of about a quarter but does appear to be increasing.
3. Is it painful?
The area itself is not painful but I do have a general "weakness" in the upper part of
my arm.
4. How does it feel on touch?
It feels more soft than hard, but does not go down then come back up as if filled with
fluid when touched.
Approximately 4 weeks...corresponds to when I started using the microscope at work,
manipulating it and focuses with my right hand/arm.
2. What's the size and is there rapid increase in size?
The size of about a quarter but does appear to be increasing.
3. Is it painful?
The area itself is not painful but I do have a general "weakness" in the upper part of
my arm.
4. How does it feel on touch?
It feels more soft than hard, but does not go down then come back up as if filled with
fluid when touched.
Brief Answer:
Looks like olecrenon bursa
Detailed Answer:
Thanks a lot for providing the good details. Am sorry for getting late with the reply as had a busy day in ward.
Infact what you describes it looks like your have got olecrenon bursitis. This is a benign condition, which as you said very rightly, relate to use of the elbow and or pressure on that area (some times called student elbow like as they sit with elbows on table) the bursa is thin sheath of fluid between joint and skin,just beneath the skin and with pressure it may be inflamed and hence Swelling at the joint. The Swelling is mostly not painful and range of movements of joint is not effected hence defrentiating from more serious causes. This appears as a soft Swelling at the edge of the joint.
Mostly not serious, treatment is avoiding pressure on these areas and some times may need puncturing and injection of steroids.
I would suggest you see a rheumatologist who would see it to confirm ap d some times if needed may do blood tests and xray.
He would also check if it could be possibly anything else.
Hopes this answer help you understand your query. Let me know if you have any further questions. Please feel free to ask if you feel your problem is different. Would also appreciate if you could share a picture if you understand that it's seems different then an aloecrenon bursa.
Looks like olecrenon bursa
Detailed Answer:
Thanks a lot for providing the good details. Am sorry for getting late with the reply as had a busy day in ward.
Infact what you describes it looks like your have got olecrenon bursitis. This is a benign condition, which as you said very rightly, relate to use of the elbow and or pressure on that area (some times called student elbow like as they sit with elbows on table) the bursa is thin sheath of fluid between joint and skin,just beneath the skin and with pressure it may be inflamed and hence Swelling at the joint. The Swelling is mostly not painful and range of movements of joint is not effected hence defrentiating from more serious causes. This appears as a soft Swelling at the edge of the joint.
Mostly not serious, treatment is avoiding pressure on these areas and some times may need puncturing and injection of steroids.
I would suggest you see a rheumatologist who would see it to confirm ap d some times if needed may do blood tests and xray.
He would also check if it could be possibly anything else.
Hopes this answer help you understand your query. Let me know if you have any further questions. Please feel free to ask if you feel your problem is different. Would also appreciate if you could share a picture if you understand that it's seems different then an aloecrenon bursa.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Brief Answer:
Thanks and Best wishes
Detailed Answer:
Thank you and best luck. Wish you a quick recovery.
Thanks and Best wishes
Detailed Answer:
Thank you and best luck. Wish you a quick recovery.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I will try to keep pressure off of the area. I am a Contract Medical Technologist and I have 8 weeks left on this assignment. My PCP is back home, but if it becomes necessary I will go to an Urgent Care Clinic. Thanks for your response..
While at work, I looked up olecrenon bursa and noticed that the swelling is at the tip of the elbow..my swelling is on the inside of the arm, to the left of the elbow..would this still sound like olecrenon bursa?
Thanks..
Thanks..
Brief Answer:
Please see details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr samberry, Good day..
Yes you are very right the bursa occurs just at the tip of the joint. This is classical however the inflammation can also occur to the side as well so it may swell to one side as well but not too away. Olecranon bursa may occur just at the side of the elbow joint. But it should be exactly at the joint slight to one side of the tip of elbow.
If it's away from the joint then we may think of other possible things like lipoma(benign mass of fats inside skin) or ganglion cyst. These both are benign things and feels soft and may occur anywhere as not related to the joint.
Just to confirm either you need to see you doctor or if you could please share a picture of it with us.
Please do send us a pic if it was possible for you.
Please see details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr samberry, Good day..
Yes you are very right the bursa occurs just at the tip of the joint. This is classical however the inflammation can also occur to the side as well so it may swell to one side as well but not too away. Olecranon bursa may occur just at the side of the elbow joint. But it should be exactly at the joint slight to one side of the tip of elbow.
If it's away from the joint then we may think of other possible things like lipoma(benign mass of fats inside skin) or ganglion cyst. These both are benign things and feels soft and may occur anywhere as not related to the joint.
Just to confirm either you need to see you doctor or if you could please share a picture of it with us.
Please do send us a pic if it was possible for you.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
