Ganglion cysts are benign lumps on the hands or wrists, and are asymptomatic for many patients. In other patients, however, a ganglion cyst may cause discomfort or problems with the way a joint functions.
Before proper ganglion cyst treatment was widely available, people commonly tried to treat them by hitting them with a heavy book. This earned the nickname “bible bumps.” Fortunately, the experienced hand and wrist surgeons at the Institute for Hand Surgery at New York Plastic Surgical Group offer a range of effective treatment options for ganglion cysts for patients throughout the Long Island and New York areas.
- What is a Ganglion Cyst?
- Ganglion Cyst Causes
- Ganglion Cyst Symptoms
- Ganglion Cyst Treatment: What to Expect
- Preparing for Treatment
- Non-Surgical Treatment of Ganglion Cysts
- Ganglion Cyst Removal
- Frequently Asked Questions About Ganglion Cysts
What is a Ganglion Cyst?
Ganglion cysts are non-cancerous fluid-filled lumps or bumps that form on the end of stalks rising out of joints, joint linings, ligaments, or tendon sheaths. These mucous cysts are the most common cause of lumps on the hands or fingers.
Ganglion cysts appear most frequently on the back of the wrist, but can also form on the underside of the wrist, fingers, elbows, and feet. Ganglion cysts may range in size from pea-sized to larger, and may change size over time. They may often seem to disappear or reappear.1
Ganglion Cyst Causes
The exact cause of ganglion cysts is unknown. It is believed that these cysts form after arthritis or multiple small traumas to the area cause fluid to leak from a joint or tendon. This excess fluid leads to swelling under skin, forming a fluid-filled bump or lump.2
Ganglion Cyst Symptoms
A ganglion cyst may or may not be painful. They appear as round or oval lumps on the wrist, back of the hand, palm, or fingers and can vary in firmness from very soft to very firm depending on their location.
Symptoms of a ganglion cyst may include:
- Tenderness to the touch
- Pain
- Depressions or grooves in the fingernails
- Thin, stretched skin
- Leaking of thick, jelly-like fluid3
Ganglion Cyst Treatment: What to Expect
Preparing for Treatment
If you have a lump growth on your hand, fingers, or wrist, the first step towards treatment is to schedule a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon at the Institute for Hand Surgery at NYPSG. During this appointment, you will undergo a brief examination by one of our hand and nerve experts, which may include shining a light on the growth as well as imaging tests such as X-ray or MRI. If you are diagnosed with a ganglion cyst, your doctor will discuss your treatment options with you.
How is a Ganglion Cyst Treated?
In many patients, ganglion cysts cause no symptoms and may even go away on their own.
However, if a ganglion cyst becomes a cosmetic concern, is causing pain or numbness, or impacts joint movement, treatment is necessary.
Non-Surgical Treatment of Ganglion Cysts
Non-surgical treatment of a ganglion cyst may involve:
- Observation
- Aspiration: draining the cyst of fluid
- Immobilization: restricting movement with a brace or splint
Surgical Removal of Ganglion Cysts
In cases where a ganglion cyst does not adequately respond to non-surgical treatment or is impinging on a nerve, the cyst may need to be treated surgically. During ganglion cyst removal, or excision, the entire cyst is removed in addition to the stalk that connects the cyst to the joint or tendon. In some cases, this involves removing a portion of the joint capsule or tendon sheath so that the entire root of the cyst is removed.4
Recovery After Ganglion Cyst Removal
Following ganglion cyst removal surgery, patients recover briefly at our surgical center before returning home. It is normal to experience discomfort and swelling after the procedure, and patients need to restrict use of the affected hand and wrist for 2 to 6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ganglion Cysts
Who gets ganglion cysts?
Anyone can get a ganglion cyst, but some people are more likely to develop them than others. Risk factors for ganglion cysts include:
- Age: ganglion cysts are more common in patients between the ages of 15 and 40
- Gender: women are more likely to develop ganglion cysts
- Previous injury to a joint or tendon
- Arthritis5
Will my pain go away after ganglion cyst removal?
Patients often experience rapid relief after they have recovered from ganglion cyst removal surgery, especially if the cyst was impinging on a nerve.
Will my ganglion cyst come back after surgery?
Surgical removal of ganglion cysts is very effective. However, there are infrequent cases where a ganglion cyst comes back after surgery. If a ganglion cyst returns, a hand surgeon from our team will perform revision surgery.
Contact Us
If a ganglion cyst is causing you concern or discomfort, contact our hand and nerve experts to schedule a consultation and learn more about your treatment options.
1 Mayo Clinic. Ganglion Cyst. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ganglion-cyst/symptoms-causes/. Accessed May 24, 2023.
2 Gregush RE, Habusta SF. Ganglion Cyst. [Updated 2022 Jul 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470168/. Accessed May 24, 2023.
3 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Ganglion Cyst. Available: https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/ganglion-cyst. Accessed May 24, 2023.
4 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Ganglion Cyst of the Wrist and Hand. Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/ganglion-cyst-of-the-wrist-and-hand/. Accessed May 24, 2023.
5 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Ganglion Cyst of the Wrist and Hand. Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/ganglion-cyst-of-the-wrist-and-hand/. Accessed May 24, 2023.
