A ganglion cyst is a round, viscous swelling that typically develops under the skin between a tendon and a joint. the most affected area is the wrist. It can be small, although in some cases it reaches a diameter of 2.5 cm. While it is typically not painful, it can interfere with joint movements or cause pain when pressing on surrounding nerves. In many cases, the cyst goes away on its own, but there are a few things you can do to manage it until it clears up.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Managing the Cyst
Step 1. Be patient
About 35% of ganglion cysts cause no pain; the only problem you may have is an aesthetic one. Thankfully, around 38-58% of these cysts actually go away on their own. If it doesn't cause you any problems, you should just leave it alone and see if the situation resolves itself.
Step 2. Take some pain relievers
You can find many over-the-counter medications that help reduce swelling; this also temporarily relieves the pain, until the drugs lose their effectiveness and the cyst swells again. Since, as mentioned, most cysts go away on their own, short-term pain management is often a good solution while waiting for the problem to go away. The three most common anti-inflammatories that you can find on free sale are:
- Ibuprofen (Brufen, Oki);
- Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Momendol);
- Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin, Vivin C).
Step 3. Apply ice
If the cyst is causing you pain, this can help. You can buy gel ice packs at the drugstore or simply wrap some ice or a pack of frozen vegetables in a cloth. Place it directly on the affected area for 20 minutes each time. You should apply it every day, once every three hours.
Step 4. Do not subject the joint affected by the cyst to excessive strain
Although the exact cause that triggers the formation of these pockets is still unknown, the most accepted hypothesis is that of a reaction of the body to a joint trauma (such as a strong blow or compressive force). Another theory holds that the cause is to be found in the excessive stress of the joint. Either way, limiting their movement definitely helps relieve pain and speed up the healing process. Try to keep the affected limb at rest as much as possible.
Step 5. Stabilize the joint with a splint if necessary
You may have a hard time remembering that you need to keep the limb nearly motionless, especially if the cyst is on the wrist. While it's easy to remember to rest in general, it's not as easy to avoid gesturing while talking. In this case, it may be a good idea to apply a splint on the joint because it has a double function: it limits the movements of the affected area when you move the limb and at the same time it is a "reminder" to hold the joint in place and leave it to rest.
- Place a rigid object (such as a piece of wood) along the joint to keep it steady. Optionally, you can also wrap it with a makeshift bandage, such as newspaper or thick wadding of towels or clothing.
- The splint should extend beyond the joint in both directions to limit its motility as much as possible. For example, if you put it on your wrist, you should make sure that it starts from the forearm, goes past the wrist and goes all the way to the hand.
- Lock the cue in place with whatever you have on hand: a tie, duct tape, a belt, and so on.
- Don't over tighten, you don't have to impede blood circulation. If you start to feel tingling in your hand or foot, ease it.
Step 6. Massage the cyst
This mass under the skin is basically a fluid-filled ball that causes pain when it presses against a nerve. To stimulate the natural drainage of the fluid, doctors often recommend massaging the area. There is no need for a specific technique or the intervention of a professional masseur. It is sufficient to rub the cyst gently, but frequently, throughout the day. Over time, you should start to notice improvements in your symptoms.
Step 7. Don't squeeze the cyst with a book
Don't use the old "Bible" method that was often used in the past. The method is so called because people tried to get rid of the cyst by squeezing it with a heavy book, like the Bible. While this may momentarily get rid of it, there is actually a 22-64% chance it will reform. Also, you could do more damage to surrounding tissues or even break a bone if you hit yourself too hard with the book.
Part 2 of 2: Medical Care
Step 1. See a doctor to drain the cyst
If it causes you a lot of pain or interferes with your normal wrist movements, you should seek professional treatments to fix the problem. A doctor is able to aspirate, or drain, the cyst, getting rid of swelling under the skin and painful friction against surrounding nerve tissues.
The doctor can check the cyst by placing a light on it; if the mass "lights up", it means that it is filled with fluid and that it is therefore a ganglion cyst
Step 2. Prepare for the aspiration procedure
While it's not a particularly complex procedure, you need to know what it consists of before starting the drainage. This will make it easier for you to stay calm and relax during the process.
- Doctors apply a topical anesthetic to numb the area around the cyst.
- At this point he injects an enzyme into the cyst to make the liquid more gelatinous and facilitate aspiration.
- He then inserts a needle into the cyst and drains the fluid. This is biological waste, so it must be disposed of safely and in compliance with regulations.
Step 3. Discuss with your doctor whether steroid injections are appropriate
Drainage alone is generally not a permanent solution. One study found that 59% of cysts treated with this method alone reformed within three months. Instead, localized administration of steroids has been shown to be much more effective, with a 95% success rate within six months of treatment.
Step 4. Consider having surgery
Ganglion cysts have a high relapse rate and home care or even drainage often does not completely solve the problem. If your cyst is particularly persistent and recurs frequently, talk to your doctor to consider having it surgically removed.
- In most cases this is an outpatient procedure, during which an intravenous anesthetic is administered.
- Instead of simply draining the fluid from the cyst, the surgeon removes all of the mass, including the branch that adheres to the tendon or joint. Total removal reduces the chances of a new one forming.
Step 5. Be aware of the risks of surgery
As with any other surgical procedure, there is some risk of complications during the procedure. In rare cases, nerve tissue, blood vessels or tendons in the area surrounding the cyst can be damaged. You may also develop an infection or have excessive bleeding.
Step 6. Take care of yourself after the surgery
The area near the cyst will be sore during the healing process. Ask the doctor who prescribes pain relievers (such as hydrocodone) to relieve the pain until it goes away. Rest the affected limb as much as possible for at least a few days. For example, if the cyst was on your wrist, avoid doing certain activities such as typing on the computer or cooking for a while. Ask your doctor to give you more information about the recovery process, for example:
- An estimate of the time it takes to heal;
- What specific activities you need to avoid while recovering;
- Which symptoms you need to pay special attention to as they could be a sign of any complications.
