Notice a small bump on your hand or wrist? It could be a ganglion cyst.
Stronger muscles and better cardiovascular health are just two ways athletes benefit from regular exercise. However, for all the good working out does, athletes may also be prone to certain orthopedic conditions, like ganglion cysts.
One government study estimates that 60-70% of soft-tissue masses found on the hand and wrist turn out to be ganglion cysts. These round or oval-shaped fluid-filled sacs range in size from one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter to more than an inch. Rarely painful, you may want to seek treatment if the ganglion cyst makes everyday movements difficult. But first, let’s learn what ganglion cysts are and explore potential treatment options.
What are ganglion cysts and what causes them?
Ganglion cysts appear as bumps, typically on the back of the wrist, the palm side of the wrist, near the base of the finger, or near the fingertip. They can also develop on the foot near the toes. The cysts usually cause no discomfort but can if the sac is located near a nerve, leading to numbness and tingling. They are considered benign cysts.
Irritation or a tear in the tissue covering a joint or tendon most often leads to a ganglion cyst. Since these sheaths produce fluid, the irritation causes fluid to escape through a straw-like structure and form a cyst under the skin.
Women between the ages of 20 and 40 and those with arthritis are most likely to develop ganglion cysts. However, repetitive actions of the hands and wrists can irritate the joints and tendons, thereby putting athletes at increased risk. Gymnasts, in particular, stand a greater chance of developing ganglion cysts because of the stress they put on their wrists. An injury to the tendon or joint can also produce a ganglion cyst.
Treating ganglion cysts
Treatment may not be necessary if the ganglion cyst doesn’t cause any pain. In some cases, the cysts disappear on their own. However, if the bumps become painful or interfere with joint mobility, it’s best to have them treated by an orthopedist or hand specialist.
For diagnosis, your doctor will perform a physical exam of the cyst and possibly shine a light through it to see if it’s fluid-filled. Imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI may be done to rule out other conditions. Then, he or she will discuss your non-surgical treatment options:
- Taking anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling.
- Wearing a splint or brace to prevent the joint from moving and irritating the tissue.
- Draining the cyst in an aspiration procedure, during which the doctor extracts fluid from the cyst through a needle. This procedure only removes the fluid, not the entire cyst, so there’s a chance it may be refilled in the future.
If those non-surgical interventions fail to alleviate pain, surgery may be recommended. Called a ganglionectomy, the surgery removes the cyst and the stalk feeding into it. Surgeons skilled in this procedure will take care not to harm nearby nerves. Full recovery from the in-patient operation takes about two to six weeks. Although surgery greatly reduces the chance of a recurrence, ganglion cysts may reappear in up to 15% of cases after the procedure.
Never attempt to dislodge the cyst by striking it with a hard object or draining it yourself with a needle. Both actions can damage the surrounding tissue and nerves or result in an infection. Ganglion cysts may not be serious, but they do require medical attention for proper treatment.
Hand your hands to us
As a leading sports medicine center, New York Bone & Joint employs experienced doctors and specialists to treat all types of hand conditions, including ganglion cysts. If you suspect you have a ganglion cyst, consult with our staff about your treatment options. Contact us today for an appointment.
