Singer Sonu Nigam’s recurring finger growth has drawn attention after the singer revealed that he underwent another surgery to remove a growth on his left ring finger. Nigam previously underwent surgery for the same problem around four months ago, but the growth has returned.

The 53-year-old singer recently shared a video of himself singing Mohammad Rafi’s Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki while on the operating table, leaving fans wondering what had happened. He later explained that he was undergoing treatment for the recurring finger growth.

Nigam said he believes the issue could potentially be connected to an arthritis-related condition affecting his bones, although the exact cause has not been established. “It’s been happening for some time. I had surgery four months back to remove it, but it has come back again. I think it’s got to do with some arthritis condition that I have in my bones, probably,” he said in an interview with the Hindustan Times.

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Arthritis itself does not necessarily cause a “growth” in the conventional sense, but some types of arthritis can cause lumps, nodules, swelling or bony enlargement around the finger joints. For example, osteoarthritis of the hands can lead to bony enlargements around the joints. These are commonly known as Heberden’s nodes when they occur near the fingertips and Bouchard’s nodes when they affect the middle finger joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause swelling and nodules around joints, although these typically have different characteristics from the bony changes associated with osteoarthritis. Therefore, while arthritis may potentially be associated with certain types of finger lumps or enlargements, the appearance of a recurring growth cannot establish that arthritis is the cause.

The recurrence of a finger lump after surgical removal can happen for several reasons, depending on what the growth actually is. Possible causes include ganglion or digital mucous cysts, benign tumours, fibrous tissue growths, bone-related growths and other lesions. Some can recur if the underlying tissue or structure responsible for the growth remains.

A doctor may need to examine the finger and consider imaging such as an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI, depending on the suspected diagnosis. In some cases, laboratory testing or examination of removed tissue under a microscope may also be necessary.

A persistent or recurring finger lump deserves medical evaluation, particularly if it is accompanied by:

Hand arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced movement. Osteoarthritis becomes more common with age and may affect the joints of the fingers and thumb. Treatment depends on the type and severity of arthritis and can include exercise and physiotherapy, pain-management strategies, splints, medications and, in selected cases, surgery.

However, it is important not to assume that every finger lump is caused by arthritis.

Nigam said there is currently no fixed plan regarding the next course of treatment because the growth has returned. Further evaluation may help establish exactly what the growth is and why it keeps recurring. “We have to wait and watch. It’s come out the second time,” he added.

Arthritis can lead to certain lumps and bony changes around the fingers, but a recurring growth after surgery can have several possible causes. Only a proper clinical examination and, when necessary, imaging or tissue testing can determine the underlying condition.