Ganglion cyst: symptoms, causes, and treatment

Definition

What is a ganglion cyst?

A ganglion cyst is a small, pea-sized tumor appearing on your body. These tumors develop along with joint pain in the wrists, hands, ankles and feet. These tumors are oval or round and filled with fluid.

You can feel pain when you press on these glands. However, this tumor is not a cancer-causing carcinogen.

Ganglion cysts are conditions that do not cause serious health problems. However, if this condition is causing discomfort and restricts your movement, discuss it immediately with your doctor, who may recommend a step to remove the cyst.

How common are ganglion cysts?

Ganglion cysts are a condition that usually occurs in patients aged 20 to 50 years and occurs 3 times more frequently in women than in men. You can prevent this disease by reducing risk factors. Ask your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a ganglion cyst?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of ganglion cysts are:

• Location. Ganglion cysts are conditions that commonly appear on the wrists, fingers, palms, ankles and feet. These cysts can also appear in joints.

• Shape and size. You can see tumors that are round or oval in shape, firm and soft at these places. Usually these cysts are 2.5 cm in diameter. Some of them are so small they can't be felt. Tumors often develop within a few months, but they can grow unpredictably.

• Sick. Ganglion cysts are conditions that are usually painless. However, if the cyst presses on a nerve it can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness.

There may be some signs and symptoms not listed above. Please consult your doctor if you think you have any symptoms.

When should I see a doctor?

You should see a doctor if the tumor on your body grows every day and feels painful. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always good to discuss with your doctor the best solution for your situation.

Cause

What causes ganglion cysts?

Ganglion cysts are conditions whose main cause is unknown. It is suspected that this cyst is caused by trauma that breaks down the joint tissue. This broken down tissue then collects to form a lump.

This mass is also thought to have developed from the synovial tissue that produces fluid oil for the joints. Because of this, these tumors will contain fluid similar to the fluid found in joints or tendons.

This disease is harmless, but in some cases, it can lead to complications such as pain or muscle weakness, carpal tunnel syndrome, and pressure on the radial arteries and radial nerves.

Risk factors

What increases the risk of a ganglion cyst?

There are many risk factors for ganglion cysts, including:

• Gender and age: Although cysts can occur in anyone but this disease is common in women aged 20 to 50 years.
• Osteoarthritis: People who have osteoarthritis caused by a drop in the knuckle near the nail, often have a higher risk of ganglion cysts on the knuckles.
• Injury to joints and tendons: joints and tendons that have been injured in the past are more likely to develop into cysts in the future.

Having no risk factors doesn't mean you can't catch the disease. These factors are common and are for reference only. You should consult a doctor for more detail.

Medicines & Medicines

What are my treatment options for ganglion cysts?

Treatment may not be necessary unless it hurts, is weak in the muscles or is affecting your appearance. If the tumor is large and painful, the doctor will remove fluid from the cyst.

Before starting, your doctor will inject an enzyme to help ease the removal of fluids and when it's done, you'll be injected with steroids to reduce the risk of it happening again. If the treatment is ineffective or the lymph nodes return to swelling, the doctor will consider surgery.

Surgery is called ganglion excision surgery and can cure 85% to 95% of ganglion causes. However, surgery can lead to several complications such as infection, injury, and relapse.

After surgery, you have to guard the affected area and protect it from accidental collisions. The tips below may help:

• Always follow the doctor's recommendations
• Wear the splint for a few days, if the cyst is on your hand or wrist
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers, if needed
• Lift the affected area to reduce the risk of swelling.

What are the most common tests to detect this cyst?

The doctor will test this condition with a symptom set. In addition, many examinations such as X-ray, ultrasound, MRI. The aim of this examination is to eliminate the possibility of osteoarthritis such as fatty tumors, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and radial arteries and infections.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help control ganglion cysts?

Home remedies that can treat the discomfort of a ganglion cyst include:

• Adaptation of footwear. If the cyst is on your foot or ankle, wear shoes that don't touch or rub the cyst directly. Wear the shoes softly or insert a cushion for comfort.

• Immobilization. Moving the affected area can increase the size of the cyst. Wear a splint or brace that can help limit movement. This can cause the cyst to shrink.

• Painkillers. If the cyst is painful, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can help.

Lifestyle changes that can help treat ganglion cysts include:

• You should know that these cysts should not be treated with surgery unless you have few symptoms or you care about your appearance.
• Tell the doctor where the tumor occurred in your body
• Seek medical help if the tumor changes (size, redness, heat or disappears)
• Avoid moving the wrists and hands which reduces the risk of ganglion cysts
• Tell the doctor if you feel pain, weakness or numbness in the ganglion cyst, or disappear, red, fever, chills or sweating after surgery
• These tumors are not cancer and are not related to cancer
• Don't press on the tumor to avoid infection and getting worse
• Tell your doctor if this cyst recurs after treatment.

The ancient treatment for ganglion cysts is to hit the cyst with a heavy object. This is not a good solution as the force of the hitting can damage the structures around your hands and feet.

Nor should you try to "pop" the cyst by pricking it with a needle. This method may not be effective and can create an infection.

If you have any questions, please consult your doctor for further understanding and the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.