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Hand & Upper Limb
intermediate
X-Type

Carpal Boss

Wrist Disorders

A 35-year-old office worker presents with a firm, non-mobile bony bump on the dorsum of her right hand. It has been present for 2 years and is becoming increasingly painful with gripping activities. Examination reveals a fixed 1.5cm hard prominence at the base of the second and third metacarpals. There is no transillumination. A lateral radiograph shows a bony prominence at the carpometacarpal joint. Regarding carpal boss:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

A carpal boss is a bony prominence at the dorsal aspect of the second or third carpometacarpal (CMC)...

B

Clinical examination reveals a firm, immobile, bony hard mass on the dorsal wrist that does not tran...

C

A carpal boss is a soft tissue mass that transilluminates; it occurs on the palmar aspect of the wri...

D

Imaging should include a lateral radiograph with the wrist in 30-40 degrees of supination (carpal bo...

E

Conservative treatment includes activity modification, NSAIDs, padding, and corticosteroid injection...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option