Lumps in the hand are usually just excess tissue cells that grow rapidly and don't shed as fast as other cells. They are rarely cancerous and usually don't cause any pain or loss of ability to use the hand. A lump in the palm of hand near ring finger may be caused by a few different conditions and is usually associated with trouble holding onto things or closing the hand. This article will outline a few of the more common causes, other symptoms to look for, and when to be concerned.

What Is That Lump in Palm of Hand Near Ring Finger?

1. Dupuytren's Disease

This is a type of deformity that affects the hand. One of the first symptoms is a lump near ring finger, but then develops into a contracted muscle in the area over time. It occurs due to a knot forming in the tissues just beneath the ringer finger. This makes a cord that tightens and pulls the fingers down.

Eventually, it becomes impossible to straighten the pink and ring finger, but there are treatments that can help relieve it.

Symptoms

• Thick skin on palm of hand
• Dimple on palm near ring finger
• Lump sensitive to touch
• Inability to fully extend or close fingers

Treatment

• Needling (Needles are inserted to divide the cord of muscle causing contracture)
• Collagen injections (Collagen can be injected to soften the cord)
• Surgery (Surgery may be needed to repair the tissue in the palm)
• Use caution with hand when gripping
• Wear padded gloves when doing heavy work

2. Calcification

Calcium can deposit anywhere in the body, but often in the extremities such as hands and feet. When you have excess calcium in your blood that is not removed by the kidneys or absorbed into bones, deposits can form in the soft tissues. One of those places is near the small hand joints causing a lump in palm of hand near ring finger.

This condition will need a thorough blood work to make sure calcium is being properly processed by the body. Calcifications can be surgically removed if they are causing pain or limited movement.

Symptoms

• Pain, often close to the joint
• Ring on ring finger feels tighter than usual
• Lumps that leak "chalky" fluid
• Signs of excess calcium in the body: kidney stones, bone spurs, and calcium in the urine

Treatment

• Anti-inflammatories
• Treat underlying blood calcium issues
• Steroid injections
• Surgery
• Home care includes: ice, heat, Epsom salt soaks, etc.

3. Gout

Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body. Uric acid can cause "tophi" or uric acid crystal deposits in the soft tissues near the joints. This can often show up as a lump in palm near ring finger, but the most common sign for the initial gout attack is a painful red swollen big toe. Many people have also experienced a painful, swollen finger, elbow joint, or ankle. It then spreads to other joints during the course of the attack.

Symptoms

• Severe joint pain in the great toes, fingers, and many joints in the body
• Limited range of motion
• Uric acid deposits in the soft tissues
• Elevated uric acid levels

Treatment

• Gout medications that reduce uric acid levels
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Low purine diet (avoid organ meats, beer, and processed meats)

4. Neuroma

A neuroma is a bunch of nerve cells that clump together into a lump. It happens due to a hand injury and causes a painful lump on the palm somewhere near a finger. If the cells do not impede the nerve, then there may not be any pain at all. Neuromas are a benign condition, but they can grow large enough to affect the use of your hand.

Symptoms

• Pain
• Numbness
• Weakness to the hand and/or fingers
• Limited range of motion to fingers and hands

Treatment

• Nerve block injections
• Neurectomy (Scar tissue is removed from the nerve area)
• Surgery to reconnect the nerve to healthy tissue with grafts

5. Giant Cell Tumor

A giant cell tumor can cause a hard lump anywhere on the hand, including a lump in palm of hand near ring finger. The cells that make up sheaths around your tendons or the lining of your joints can form into a lump. Even though these are called "tumors" they are a benign condition. Still any lump in your hand should be evaluated by your doctor just to make sure.

Symptoms

• Mild to severe pain when bending the hand
• Mass in the hand or palm of the hand near a finger
• Possible fracture if left untreated

Treatment

• Radiation therapy to shrink tumor
• Surgical removal of tumor
• Application of hydrogen peroxide or liquid nitrogen to stop growth of cells

6. Fracture

The tiny bones in the palm of the hand can easily be fractured. This may occur due to a door being slammed on the hand or other trauma. When small bones are fractured, they tend to bleed and swell causing a lump.

Even if you have a fracture and don't know it, this can also leave a lump in the hand where the bones displaced and did not heal correctly.

Symptoms

• Lump in palm of hand near fingers
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Pain with movement

When to Worry

A lump in palm of hand near ring finger or any finger should be checked by your doctor if:

• The lump does not go away in a reasonable amount of time
• Pain becomes so severe that you cannot open or close your hand
• Lump with fever over 100.6 ℉
• The lump grows over 2 inches in size
• You develop other unexplained lumps
• You have an injury to your hand that causes bruising, swelling, and pain