A ganglion cyst, which develops as a small lump on the hand or wrist, is a noncancerous growth filled with thick fluid. While its cause is not always known, an injury to your joint or tendon may result in a ganglion cyst. Speak with an orthopedic expert about ganglion cysts.
Signs and Symptoms
Most ganglion cysts cause no noticeable symptoms and go away on their own—but some continue to grow over time, creating pressure or inflammation on surrounding muscle and tissue. This pressure may result in pain, tingling, numbness or muscle weakness. While ganglion cysts commonly develop on the wrist, they may also appear on fingers or toes.
Risk Factors and Prevention
The following factors may increase your risk of developing a ganglion cyst.
- Age: Ganglion cysts commonly develop in individuals aged 20 to 40.
- Gender: Ganglion cysts occur more often in women compared to men.
- Trauma: Any injury to the tissue surrounding your joints—including ligaments, joint linings and tendon sheaths—may result in a ganglion cyst.
- Arthritis: Wear-and-tear arthritis (known as osteoarthritis) may increase the risk of developing a ganglion cyst, particularly around the tips of your fingers.
How We Diagnose Ganglion Cysts
Our orthopedic experts use the following procedures to diagnose ganglion cysts.
- Physical Exam: In most cases, our experts can accurately diagnose ganglion cysts by examining the physical symptoms of the condition.
- X-ray: A common medical imaging procedure, X-rays use radiation to capture colorless images of your bones, joints and soft tissue.
Treatment Options
While most ganglion cysts go away on their own, our experts may provide treatment if the growth causes discomfort or limits movement. Treatment approaches include wearing a brace or splint to keep the joint from moving. Our experts may also use a thin needle to drain the fluid from the growth. Severe cases may require the cyst to be surgically removed in a procedure called a ganglionectomy. Speak with an orthopedic expert at Bayhealth.