Hi all - I was recently diagnosed with a giant cell tendon tumor (benign) in my right hand below the tendon of my middle finger. Happy 40th Birthday present to me...Anyway the MRI appears to show the tendon in great shape, so the doc is hoping they won't have to mess with it.

Best case scenario I'm healed up after 7-10 days and can go back to mostly normal use. Worst case scenario they have to remove tendon, so they borrow a tendon from the index finger to fix the middle. Recover time for that is 8-12 weeks followed by PT. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a nervous nelly about this.

I do a LOT of shooting, guitar playing, and my career is IT so tons of typing/mousing. Anyone been through this or similar? How were your fingers afterward? The doc is watching his own ass (I can't blame him) and can't guarantee any % of movement loss.

I have a building expansion project I'm about to finish so planning to have the surgery after that, probably around the end of May.

I'd be nervous as well, but as you say it will likely go just fine. While it's your first time, hopefully the doc has done this and similar many times so more of a piece of cake.

Best of luck to you, and on a positive note Apple recently added a new emoji you can use if the range of movement is limited and it's stuck extended!

Keep us posted. I have a similar, benign tumor in the same spot. I've been advised to monitor it and we'll decide on surgery if it worsens.

I had a nearly identical tumor removed from my right index finger. It was eating into the bone according to the X ray and MRI. No one could identify it until final biopsy: could have been giant cell, sarcoma, a number of things according to the MRI. Mine ended up being a fibroma of the tendon sheath, which also jeopardizes the tendon (and is also benign and quite rare; usually they are giant cell tumors).

It all went according to plan. It was removed by an expert hand surgeon, it ended up being benign (that was my big issue because no one could identify it with any degree of confidence), and I kept it wrapped for a couple of weeks until the remaining stitches came out.

Four months later, I am 100%, and am sure you will be too. Rub the scar to keep the tissue broken up, and do you physical therapy over and over. I now have full range of motion, zero pain, and nothing other than a huge long scar down the side of my finger.

NOTE: The first two joints of my finger were numb for two-three months, from the nerve being moved out of the way during all the slicing. Better than cutting it. Apparently it does not like that, and that numbness is to be expected. They knew they didn't cut it, because the PA said "I Was holding it the whole time to make sure it was not damaged." But it eventually settled down and I am back to normal.

Given that mine was a tumor of the actual tendon sheath, and they were able to save my tendon completely, I am confident yours will be saved 100% too.

I too was scared the while time. Send me a PM if you want to know of anything else to expect.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TAllen01,

Thanks guys - i'm thinking of pushing the surgery up to the quickest they can get me in just to get it over with

Not a bad idea. The longer you wait, the larger it gets, and the more it can get intertwined in various parts. Make sure the guy you are using has done the surgery before; research him thoroughly. Get recommeendations from various other doctors who they would use. Check your "Best doctors" article in your local magazine.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TAllen01,

Even if they're benign, you really need to get to those fast to keep them from screwing up the tendons and nerves.

DO
IT
ASAP

Any update?