Question 1

I've had this fingertip pain for 3 years and seen multiple doctors who say nothing is wrong - could it be a glomus tumor?

Accepted Answer

Quite possibly - delayed diagnosis is extremely common with glomus tumors, with average delay of 2-7 years before correct diagnosis. Many patients are told 'nothing wrong' or misdiagnosed with arthritis, nerve entrapment, or psychosomatic pain because: (1) Glomus tumors are rare (many doctors have never seen one); (2) They're invisible to naked eye (hidden under nail, only 2-5mm size); (3) Standard X-rays usually normal; (4) Pain seems disproportionate to findings (doctors skeptical of severe pain with no visible cause). RED FLAGS suggesting glomus tumor: CLASSIC TRIAD - (a) Severe localized pain in one specific spot on fingertip, (b) Extreme cold sensitivity (touching refrigerator or cold water causes excruciating pain), (c) Exquisite point tenderness (pressing with pen tip on exact spot reproduces severe pain). SUPPORTIVE FEATURES - pain out of proportion to findings, disrupts sleep, affects quality of life, sometimes small blue/red spot under nail. If you have these features, REQUEST SPECIFIC TESTING: (1) Ask doctor to perform Love's sign (pinpoint pressure test) and cold sensitivity test; (2) Request MRI of affected finger (not hand MRI - specify FINGER MRI with contrast) - this is diagnostic in 95% of cases. Don't give up—if your doctor is dismissive, seek opinion from hand surgeon or orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand. Many patients report that once correctly diagnosed and tumor removed, they're amazed that something so small caused years of severe pain and wish they'd pushed for diagnosis sooner.

Question 2

If I have surgery to remove the tumor, will it definitely cure my pain or might the pain persist?

Accepted Answer

Surgery is highly successful with 90-95% of patients achieving complete, immediate pain relief. Most patients describe dramatic improvement - 'the pain that bothered me for years disappeared the moment I woke from surgery' is common feedback. However, outcomes depend on complete tumor excision: COMPLETE EXCISION (85-90% of cases): Immediate and permanent pain relief, no recurrence, normal finger function, patients thrilled with outcome. INCOMPLETE EXCISION (10-15% of cases): Symptoms recur within 6-12 months because small portion of tumor left behind - requires repeat surgery which usually achieves cure. WRONG DIAGNOSIS (less than 5%): If pathology shows something other than glomus tumor (rare - diagnosis usually correct if MRI showed typical findings), then symptoms persist and alternative diagnosis pursued. TO MAXIMIZE SUCCESS: Choose hand surgeon experienced with glomus tumors (lower recurrence rates than general surgeons), ensure MRI performed pre-op to localize tumor precisely, have pathology sent to confirm glomus tumor and ensure complete excision (surgeon should see 'capsule' around tumor indicating complete removal). REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS: Nail regrows over 3-6 months and may have slight cosmetic irregularity (small ridge or depression) but usually not noticeable. Fingertip may have mild numbness for few months (usually resolves). Small risk (less than 5%) of permanent mild numbness or cold sensitivity (but nothing like pre-surgery pain). Bottom line: surgery is highly effective, low-risk procedure that dramatically improves quality of life for patients who've often suffered years of severe pain - vast majority of patients wish they'd had surgery sooner rather than trying to live with symptoms.

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Glomus Tumor (Fingernail Tumor Causing Severe Pain)

📖What is Glomus Tumor (Fingernail Tumor Causing Severe Pain)?

🔬What Causes It?

⚠️Risk Factors

You may be at higher risk if:

🛡️Prevention