Ganglion Cyst

A ganglion cyst is simply a benign mass or lump in your hand. They can show up in various locations, but typically they develop on the back of your wrist.

Filled with fluid, a cyst can appear quickly, change size, and even disappear. If you develop a cyst, there’s really no reason to treat it unless it’s painful, interferes with function, or has an unacceptable appearance.

We don’t know what causes a ganglion, however they tend to develop in people between the ages of 15 and 40, and women are more likely to be affected than men.

What happens is, the ganglion rises out of your joint like a balloon on a stalk. It then grows out of the surrounding tissue and is filled with liquid. What you see and feel is a lump that is typically harmless. However, if your cyst puts pressure on a nerve, it can cause pain or discomfort.

Other than just observing your cyst, there are three main options your doctor can present you for treating a ganglion cyst. One is immobilization, or simply using a splint or brace to limit your wrist’s activity and decrease your cyst’s size.

On the other hand, you could go with aspiration, a process in which a needle is inserted into the cyst to remove fluid. The problem with this is that ganglion cysts usually grow back because the root is still there.

Finally, you could have the cyst surgically removed, root and all. There is still a chance your cyst will return, but it’s much less.