Ganglion cysts are bulges containing a viscous fluid that often occur on tendons or joints. They are not cancerous, but if they press on a nerve they can be painful. Some go away without treatment, while persistent ones can be drained or removed by a doctor.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Diagnosing a Ganglionic Cyst
Step 1. Locate a ganglion cyst
It is a particularly common disorder for women between the ages of 20 and 40, for those suffering from osteoarthritis in the joints of the fingers, or for those who have suffered trauma to the joints or tendons. It must be removed in the following cases:
- A lump forms on the tendons in the wrists or hands. These cysts can also form on the joints of the wrists, hands, feet, ankles, or elsewhere.
- A rounded or oval bulge forms. Most of these cysts measure less than 3 centimeters. Sizes can vary over time: they get bigger with the use of the nearby joint.
- You feel pain. Even a virtually invisible cyst can cause discomfort, numbness, weakness, or a tingling sensation when pressing on a nerve.
Step 2. Ask a doctor to check the cyst
He will make several observations to confirm whether it is a ganglion cyst, including:
- Press on the cyst to check if it is painful.
- Expose the cyst to a light source to check if it is solid or contains a fluid.
- Aspirate the fluid from the cyst with a syringe and needle. In case of a ganglion cyst, it will be transparent.
Step 3. If your doctor recommends it, undergo an imaging test
It can detect small cysts that aren't externally visible and rule out other diagnoses, such as arthritis or cancer. It might suggest you:
- An x-ray. It is not painful, but you should warn your doctor if you are pregnant (even suspected).
- An ultrasound. It is a painless test that thanks to ultrasound forms a representative image of what is happening in the body.
- An MRI. This exam involves the use of magnetic fields and radio waves to create three-dimensional images of the cyst. You will lie down on a surface that will slide into the machine. It's a noisy but painless test. If you suffer from claustrophobia, notify your doctor in time.
Part 2 of 3: Treating the Cyst with Physician Intervention
Step 1. Decide if treatment is needed
About half of ganglion cysts go away on their own. Your doctor may suggest that you treat it in the following cases:
- It presses on a nerve, causing painful sensations.
- It is so large that it reduces joint movement.
Step 2. Try immobilization
Your doctor may place a brace or splint around the joint near the cyst. This should immobilize the area. Since cysts often enlarge due to joint movement, immobilization sometimes allows the bumps to shrink.
- If you decide to use this method, ask your doctor how long to wear the brace or splint before the muscles begin to lose their strength.
- If the cyst is bothersome, your doctor may recommend a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen.
Step 3. Test the drainage of the cyst by means of suction
With this procedure, the doctor will aspirate the fluid contained in the bag with a needle. It should provide instant relief, but the cyst may re-form.
- Your doctor may suggest that you inject a steroid into the affected area to decrease the risk of the cyst returning. However, there is no concrete evidence in this regard.
- It is an outpatient procedure. You will be discharged the same day: the point of the skin that has been pierced with the needle will be covered with a very simple plaster.
Step 4. Consider surgery
If other solutions have proved ineffective, this is generally the last resort. The surgeon will cut the cyst and the stem with which it connects to the joint or tendon. Although it is the most effective option, some cysts still reform after the operation. 2 equally effective surgical procedures are used. Both can be done under local or general anesthesia, depending on the recommendations of your surgeon.
- Open surgery. During this procedure, the surgeon makes a cut about 5 centimeters in the cyst to remove it.
- Arthroscopic surgery, which is a form of laparoscopy. The surgeon makes a small incision, then slips a camera and other tools into it. Guiding himself with the camera, he removes the cyst.
Part 3 of 3: Treating the Cyst at Home
Step 1. Take over-the-counter pain relievers
If your doctor decides you shouldn't have any surgery or you want to try home remedies, you should take over-the-counter pain relievers. Ibuprofen and naproxen can help relieve pain.
You can also take over-the-counter medicines during an observation period. In this case, the doctor will advise you not to touch the cyst and make periodic visits. When a ganglion cyst is not cancerous or due to serious medical conditions, this route is often followed
Step 2. If the cyst affects the foot or toes, change your shoes
Avoid those that compress or squeeze it. You could bring open footwear or flip flops, so it can heal on its own.
If you must wear closed shoes, fasten them or adjust the strap loosely to prevent the cyst from becoming irritated as you walk. Avoid shoes with tight zips or made from non-breathable materials, such as leather or polyester, as they can irritate your skin
Step 3. Don't poke or try to drain the cyst yourself
An old remedy is to hit it hard with a heavy object. Avoid this, as it can damage surrounding tissue.
