I'm missing an MCP joint (i think that's what it's called, its the bump below your thumb) on my right hand?

Question

My left hand is the only hand that has that bump sticking out below the thumb. It's flat below my right thumb. It's been like this for years and I have always questioned it. Am i missing that bone or what????? I look at my right hand and I always wonder.

Answer 1

Finger, Hand, and Wrist Problems, Noninjury
Provided by: Healthwise
Last Updated: December 13, 2004

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

* An injury to your finger, hand, or wrist: Go to the topic Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries.
* Injury from cold exposure: Go to the topic Cold Temperature Exposure.
* Sudden hand swelling: Go to the topic Allergic Reaction.
* A fingernail problem or injury: Go to the topic Nail Problems and Injuries.
* A rash on your hands: Go to the topic Rash, Age 11 and Younger or Rash, Age 12 and Older.
* Swelling of your hand and you are pregnant: Go to the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems.

Yes

Do you have pain or stiffness in your finger, hand, or wrist?

See significance of pain or stiffness in a finger, hand, or wrist if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Do you have severe pain?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Is a young child unwilling or unable to use a finger, hand, or wrist, or protecting a hand carefully?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Do you have pain or stiffness in your finger, hand, or wrist after 24 hours of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your Symptoms.
close
Yes

Do you have swelling in your finger, hand, or wrist?

See significance of swelling if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes

Do you have swelling with pale, white, blue, or cold skin?
Yes

Do you have sudden swelling of both palms?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Has swelling that is usual for you gotten worse in the past 24 hours?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes

Has mild swelling without other symptoms not improved after 1 week of home treatment?
Yes

Do you have long-term swelling that has been evaluated by your health professional, but the swelling has not improved or followed the expected course?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your Symptoms.
close
Yes

Do you have numbness or tingling in your finger, hand, or wrist?

See significance of numbness or tingling if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes

Do you have new numbness or tingling and the affected hand is more pale, white, blue, or cold than the unaffected hand?
Yes

Do you have new numbness or tingling and you are unable to move your finger or hand?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes

Have you had steady numbness or tingling that has lasted for 1 hour or longer?
Yes

Do you have numbness or tingling that has been evaluated by your health professional, but your symptoms have become worse since you were last evaluated?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Have you had numbness or tingling that comes and goes for 24 hours or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your Symptoms.
close
Yes

Do you have pale, white, blue, or cold fingers or hands?

See significance of pale, white, blue, or cold fingers or hands if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes

Have your fingers or hands become pale, white, blue, or cold?
Yes

Are your fingers or hand pale, white, blue, or cold after having a brace, cast, or splint applied? Note: See first aid for a cast or splint that may be too tight.

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Have your symptoms gotten worse since being evaluated by your health professional?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Do you occasionally have pale, white, blue, or cold fingers or hands, but symptoms are not present now?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your Symptoms.
close
Yes

Do you have signs of infection in your finger, hand, or wrist?

See significance of signs of infection if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes

Do you have diabetes?
Yes

Do you have peripheral arterial disease?
Yes

Do you have a disease that causes problems with your immune system?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes

Do you have increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around your hand or wrist?
Yes

Is your finger, hand, or wrist increasingly tender to the touch?
Yes

Do you have red streaks extending from your hand or wrist?
Yes

Do you have any drainage of pus?
Yes

Do you have a fever?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes

Do you have mild pain and swelling with redness less than 1 in. (2.5 cm) around the affected area?
Yes

Do you have swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or the bend of the elbow?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your Symptoms.
close
Yes

Do you have decreased movement or strength in your finger, hand, or wrist?

See significance of decreased movement or strength if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Are you unable to move your finger, hand, or wrist?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes

Are you unable to make a fist?
Yes

Are you unable to straighten all your fingers?
Yes

Are you unable to bend or straighten your wrist?
Yes

Are you unable to grasp an object?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes

Is ongoing difficulty moving your finger, hand, or wrist getting worse?
Yes

Are you unable to move your hand or wrist normally or have decreased strength after 48 hours of home treatment?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Have you had ongoing (but not worsening) difficulty moving a finger, hand, or wrist?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your Symptoms.
close
Yes

Do you have a finger or thumb that snaps, pops, or locks during normal movement?

See significance of a finger or thumb that snaps, pops, or locks if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Do you have a finger or thumb that has locked in one position and you cannot move it?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Do you have a painful finger or thumb that snaps, pops, or locks during normal movement?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Do you have a nonpainful finger or thumb that repeatedly snaps, pops, or locks during normal movement?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your Symptoms.
close
Yes

Do you have a lump or bump on your finger, hand, or wrist?

See significance of a lump or bump if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Do you have a lump or bump without signs of infection?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes

Have you had a painless lump or bump for 2 weeks or longer that has not been checked by a health professional?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your Symptoms.
close

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Answer 2

North American Weedhog. Bowl Holder. There is a Bowl Holder song as well, set to the Clay Henry song (from the Subway ad, remember? Bowl Holdin', Bowl Holdin'! He rides thru town with a joint in his hand He's got a lighter in the other, but he don't give a damn Bowl Holdin', Bowl Holdin'!