Ganglion cysts are the most common type of growth that can occur in your hand. They can occur anywhere on the hand or wrist, and are frequently seen on the back of the fingers or either side of the wrist.
These non-cancerous lumps are fluid-filled and can range in size and shape. While ganglion cysts are usually harmless, in some cases, they can grow quite large, becoming unsightly and sometimes painful.
A ganglion cyst is a circular sac filled with a clear, sticky fluid that’s similar to the substance that coats and lubricates your joints. These cysts grow out of the tissues in your joints or along your tendons and often resemble a balloon on the end of a straw.
A ganglion cyst can develop on any joint of your hands, though the most common locations include the front or back of your wrist, the palmar base of a finger, or on the back of a finger. You may develop several smaller cysts, around the size of a pea, or one large cyst that can grow more than an inch in diameter.
Medical experts aren’t exactly sure what triggers ganglion cyst development, but in some cases, a ganglion cyst can occur due to arthritis or an injury. Oftentimes, an increase in activity causes the cyst to become larger, while rest leads to a decrease in size.
Sometimes, ganglion cysts are small enough not to cause any symptoms and eventually resolve on their own. Unfortunately, ganglion cysts can grow large enough to become noticeable, causing a firm lump that sits right underneath the surface of your skin.
If the cyst doesn’t cause pain or mobility issues, you may wait for it to shrink and disappear without medical intervention. However, if the cyst becomes large enough to cause cosmetic concerns or put pressure on the involved area, you may start to experience symptoms that warrant removal of the cyst.
Thus, we recommend seeking treatment if the cyst causes discomfort, raises cosmetic concerns, or appears at risk for rupture.
We start with a physical exam, a detailed discussion of your symptoms, and imaging studies to rule out other issues that may be causing the structural abnormality, such as arthritis of the hand or wrist.
Often, conservative management is appropriate as the first line of treatment. This may include anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling, compressive massage to the area of the cyst, and at times, compression wraps or immobilizing the affected hand or wrist with a brace or splint.
If initial treatments aren’t enough to reduce symptoms and eliminate the cyst, Dr. Abrams may recommend surgery to remove (excise) the cyst from where it’s attached to the affected joint.
To get effective ganglion cyst relief, schedule an appointment with Dr. Abrams today by calling the nearest office or using our online booking feature.
