Ganglion cyst removal

Definition

Ganglion cyst removal, or ganglionectomy, is the removal of a fluid-filled sac on the skin of the wrist, finger, or sole of the foot. The cyst is attached to a tendon or a joint through its fibers and contains synovial fluid, which is the clear liquid that lubricates the joints and tendons of the body. The surgical procedure is performed in a doc tor's office. It entails aspiration, or draining fluid from the cyst with a large hypodermic needle. The cyst may also be excised (removed by cutting).

Purpose

Ganglion cysts are sacs that contain the synovial fluid found in joints and tendons. They are the most common forms of soft tissue growth on the hand and are distinguished by their sticky liquid contents. The cystic structures are attached to tendon sheaths via a long thin tube-like arm. About 65% of ganglion cysts occur on the upper surface of the wrist, with another 20%–25% on the volar (palm) surface of the hand. Most of the remaining 10%–15% of ganglion cysts occur on the sheath of the flexor tendon. In a few cases, the cysts emerge on the sole of the foot.

Ganglion cysts have appeared in medical writing from the time of Hippocrates (c. 460–c. 375 B . C .). Their exact cause is unknown. There are some indications, however, that ganglion cysts result from trauma to or deterioration of the tissue lining in the joints that secretes synovial fluid.

A ganglion cyst is usually attached to a tendon or muscle in the wrist or finger (A). To remove it, the skin is cut open (B), the growth is removed (C), and the skin is sutured closed (D). (

Illustration by GGS Inc.

)

Ganglion cysts can emerge quite quickly, and can disappear just as fast. They are benign growths, usually causing problems in the functioning of the joints or tendons of the hand or finger only when they are large. Many people do not seek medical attention for ganglion cysts unless they cause pain, affect the movement of the nearby tendons, or become particularly unsightly.

An old traditional treatment for a ganglion cyst was to hit it with a Bible, since the cysts can burst when struck. Today, cysts are removed surgically by aspiration but often reappear. Surgical excision is the most reliable treatment for ganglion cysts, but aspiration is the more common form of therapy.

Demographics

Ganglion cysts account for 50%–70% of all soft tissue tumors of the hand and wrist. They are most likely to occur in adults between the ages of 20 and 50, with the female: male ratio being about 3: 1. Most ganglion cysts are visible; however, some are occult (hidden). Occult cysts may be diagnosed because the patient feels pain in that part of the hand or has noticed that the tendon cannot move normally. In about 10% of cases, there is associated trauma.

Description

Patients are given a local or regional anesthetic in a doctor's office. Two methods are used to remove the cysts. Most physicians use the more conservative procedure, which is known as aspiration.

Aspiration

An 18- or 22-gauge needle attached to a 20–30-mL syringe is inserted into the cyst. The doctor removes the fluid slowly by suction.
The doctor may inject a corticosteroid medication into the joint after the fluid has been withdrawn.
A compression dressing is applied to the site.
The patient remains in the office for about 30 minutes.

Excision

Some ganglion cysts are so large that the doctor recommends excision. This procedure also takes place in the physician's office with local or regional anesthetic.

Excision of a ganglion cyst is performed as follows:

The physician palpates, or feels, the borders of the sac with the fingers and marks the sac and its periphery.
The sac is cut away with a scalpel.
The doctor closes the incision with sutures and applies a bandage.
The patient is asked to remain in the office for at least 30 minutes.

Diagnosis/Preparation

Ganglion cysts are fairly easy to diagnose because they are usually visible and pliable to the touch. They are distinguished from other growths by their location near tendons or joints and by their fluid consistency. Ganglion cysts are sometimes confused with a carpal boss (a bony, non-mobile spur on the top of the wrist), but can usually be distinguished by the fact that they can be moved and are usually less painful for the patient.

The doctor may schedule one or more imaging studies of the hand and wrist. An x-ray may reveal bone or joint abnormalities. Ultrasound may be used to diagnose the presence of occult cysts.

Aftercare

Patients should avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 48 hours after surgery and report any signs of infection or inflammation to their physician. A follow-up appointment should be scheduled within three weeks of aspiration or excision. Excision may result in some stiffness after the surgery and some difficulties in flexing the hand because of scar tissue formation.

Risks

Aspiration has very few complications as a treatment for ganglion cysts; the most common aftereffects are infection or a reaction to the cortisone injection. Complications of excision include some stiffness in the hand and scar formation. Ganglion cysts recur after excision in about 5–15% of cases, usually because the cyst was not completely removed.

Normal results

Aspirated ganglion cysts disappear and cause no further symptoms in 27–67% of cases. They may, however, reoccur and require repeated aspiration. Aspiration combined with an injection of cortisone has more success than aspiration by itself. Excision is a much more reliable procedure, however, and the stiffness that the patient may experience after the procedure eventually goes away. The formation of a small scar is normal.

Morbidity and mortality rates

The only risks for ganglion cyst removal are infections or inflammation due to the cortisone injection. There is a small risk of damage to nearby nerves or blood vessels.

Alternatives

Alternatives to aspiration and excision in the treatment of ganglion cysts include watchful waiting and resting the affected hand or foot. It is quite common for ganglion cysts to fade away without any surgical treatment.

Resources

BOOKS

"Common Hand Disorders." Section 5, Chapter 61 in The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy , edited by Mark H. Beers, MD, and Robert Berkow, MD. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 1999.

Ferri, Fred F. Ferri's Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment . St. Louis, MO: Mosby, Inc., 2003.

Ruddy, Shaun, et al. Kelly's Textbook of Rheumatology , 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders, 2001.

PERIODICALS

Tallia, A. F., and D. A. Cardone. "Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Wrist and Hand Region." American Family Physician 67 (February 15, 2003): 745-750.

OTHER

MDConsult.com. Ganglion Cyst Removal (Ganglionectomy) . http://www.mdconsult.com.

Nancy McKenzie, PhD

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?

Aspiration or excision to treat ganglion cysts is done by primary care doctors as well as orthopedic surgeons. The procedures may be performed in the doctor's office or at an outpatient clinic.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR

May I continue to exercise and continue my other regular activities with this cyst?
Would you recommend removal rather than aspiration?
How effective is aspiration in preventing these cysts from recurring?
How successful have excisions been with your patients?

User Contributions:

Dan

Apr 11, 2006 @ 10:22 pm

I have had a ganglion/bible cyst on my wrist for at least 2 years now. A few months ago I had aspiration, or removal with a needle. It was just like a jelly when it came out. Then the doctor injected a steroid to prevent inflamation. However he didn't give me a splint or tell me to stop doing anything I normally do. Now that I look back I wish he would have recommended a splint. A rumor I hear is vitamin E extract, aloe vera, or preparation H can also treat cyst in lotion form. I have done a lot of research. I have also broken both of my wrists skateboarding twice. I believe my cyst is due too extreme trauma. It is only my right wrist although I have broken both twice. Since my cyst came back I am going to lower the activity of my right wrist, and use aloe vera.
Any tips?

Stephen

Aug 14, 2007 @ 10:10 am

I had a volar ganglion cyst ever since childhood (I'm 37 now). It got bigger in recent years. I finally asked my doctor to treat it. He simply injected cortisone directly into the cyst (no aspiration), and after a couple of days I noticed it had shrunk. Now about 5 weeks later, I can find nothing left--you couldn't tell it was ever there.

Allison

Aug 16, 2007 @ 8:20 pm

I have had a ganglion cyst on the top of my wrist for about 11 years. In the past the pain was easily relieved with a brace, but it is now about the size of a cherry tomato and causing funny pain up my arm and down my hand. I have trouble with fine motor skills like brushing my teeth and hair. I am going to a surgeon about it next week!

raven

Nov 4, 2007 @ 6:06 am

I hate this cyst it HURTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOT IT HALF REMOVED AND ITS back!!!!!!!! like arnold ...and worst...HELP ME PLEASE!!!!

yvette

Nov 21, 2007 @ 2:02 am

I HAD A GANGLION CYST REMOVED ON OCT 19 AND ITS NOW NOV 20TH I HAVE A BUMP ON TOP OF THE INCISION THAT HURTS AND HAS NOT BECOME SMALLER. IT LOOKS LIKE A GANGLION CYST IS STILL THERE. COULD IT BE THAT ITS STILL SWOLLEN OR THAT THE CYST RETURNED SO SOON. IT HURTS TO BEND THE WRIST AND SPOT GETS HOT AND PAIN RUNS UP MY ARM LIKE I HAD BEFORE THE SURGERY. WHAT CAN BE HAPPENING

Loi

Jan 11, 2008 @ 6:18 pm

I've had an occult ganglion cyst for 2 years. My Dr couldn't tell me what was wrong for the longest time. It wasn't until I went to a specialist that I found out. I am now on a wait list for the surgery to remove it. It's affected my whole life. I was in school for firefighting and ended up having to give it up because of this damn ganglion. Good luck to everyone who's in the same boat as me...how frustrating it is though.

angela

Jan 22, 2008 @ 3:15 pm

I had a ganglion cyst aspirated yesterday that was located at the base of my left ring finger and the dr. did not drain any fluid out rather he just injected the cortisone into the cyst. I am having incredible pain in my finger and where the cyst was located. I am wondering if this is a normal amount of pain. It is very swollen as well. Did anyone else have bad pain the day after aspiration??

Kim Kelley

Jan 22, 2008 @ 6:18 pm

I too suffer for many years with cyst on left middle finger, lst joint. I have had 2 aspirations, and it has not gone away. I garden frequently, and use this hand for removing stubborn weeds! I have made an appointment to see if they can remove it surgically since I have suffered so long, and now it is at its largest, very painful, and too sensitive to the touch! Wish me luck, I will report back,

Kimmie

Feb 1, 2008 @ 7:07 am

For all those with MORE inflammation or redness or increased pain after the cyst was treated - get yourself to your doctor pronto - most likely infection has set in.

Dee King

Apr 1, 2008 @ 8:20 pm

I have had surgery to remove the ganglian cyst on the top of my right wrist after two aspiration attempts. It's been three months since the surgery, and I still have a bump that looks like the original cyst, but my doctor says its just scar tissue. Another blog suggests it may take over a year for the scar tissue to go away. Sometimes I regret the surgery, but at the same time the majority of the pain has gone away. During surgery, I took the opportunity to have the doctor remove scar tissue from a previous injury, so I'd say it was worth it.

zeina

Jun 29, 2008 @ 12:00 am

Had a lump appear 2 inches away from my ankle, on my left foot, along the tendant line of my baby toe. Just appeared all of a sudden too. no pain..but when i tap it..i can tell there is a bit of numbness. don't know if it was caused by trauma. i do treadmill for lympatic drainage purposes to prevent cellulite and elyptical. after reading about ganglian cyst, not gonna do anything about it unless it becomes a problem. don't wanna have it treated now to have to have it treated again later because it reappears or some crap like that. i hate needles so wnt do unless absolutely necessary. thanx for all ur entries guys, glad to know i'm not alone in this wierd hunchback of notredame foot and wrist shit

Sharon

Aug 12, 2008 @ 1:13 pm

just had a mucous cyst removed today on the 1st joint of my right ring finger. When it filled with the sticky fluid, it was very painful and caused a burning sensation. The doctor found "mice" under it (lay term). They looked like tiny stones. I have a feeling it is going to be VERY uncomfortable when the local wears off. Had it obout 7 months. I am hoping for the best! Ihad one on my wrist a few years ago. You need to massage it a lot to break down scar tissue after it heals.

Cheryl

Aug 21, 2008 @ 8:20 pm

I had a ganglion cyst removed from my right wrist approximately 12 years ago. My wrist is fine now. I had the surgery, then had a cast placed on my arm for a while. I'm not sure if there was a lump during that time or not, but after the cast was removed there was no lump.
I now have one on my left wrist and am planning to go back to the doctor who did the first one. The only thing I would recommend you do is to find a doctor who specializes. Here we have a practice where each doctor while he can see or treat you for any break, etc, they each have one area that they are best at. (i.e., one does toes and feet, one does hands and fingers, etc).

dave

Aug 31, 2008 @ 3:15 pm

hi i had a cyst on my left wrist following a nasty injuty with a hard impact to the wrist i suffered for 3 years before they decided to remove the cyst its 4 weeks later and its still swollen and painful and stiff there! the doctor has signed me off for another week and told me i have inflamation of the scar tissue what exactly is the doctor telling me is going on inside? and how long should i expect this to last?

many thanks dave

kelly

Oct 2, 2008 @ 1:13 pm

had a ganglion cyst removed from the top of my wrist 2 days ago. it's wrapped and in a brace for the next 6 days. my fingers are swelled. is this normal from the surgery or is this a sign of something more severe?

April

Oct 16, 2008 @ 10:10 am

ive a ganglion cyst on the top of my right wrist.. ive had it for 2 years and its gettin sore now so im going 2 see a surgeon 28oct. hopefully its not 2 big for aspiration the thoughts of surgery make me sick =[

Marie

Oct 23, 2008 @ 9:21 pm

Hi I have had a ganglion cyst for awhile - it seems like its gotten alot bigger. If i use my right hand too much i get very weak and it hurts real bad - sometimes when i don't do anything it still bothers me - Does the Doctor recommend the Aspiration first or do they go directly to surgery - My daugher at the age 10 has just found out today she has the ganglion cyst in her right hand - they are very small though. he told me for her to ice pack and put a brace on - She plays violin and hurts her real bad - the doctor stated it will go away. Could this be true??

rena

Oct 25, 2008 @ 9:09 am

i too also had a tendon cyst on my right wrist but i didn't undergo any of those procedures. the doctor just pressed the cyst hard then it feels like something pop and the cyst was smaller. he recommended that i massage it all the time so that it won't grow back. but until now i can still feel it and iam scared that it will grow bigger again.iam really worried because iam right handed and gets conscious when other people holds my hand or when they get to see it.

tyler

Oct 27, 2008 @ 10:22 pm

I have a ganglyion cyst on my foot. I had it removed once and was in a cast but it came back. It has been about 2 years since I got my sugery and the pain is coming back. Is there any way I can get this permanatly removed? you can email me at illkillu14@gmail.com

heather kruger

Oct 29, 2008 @ 9:09 am

i recently hada cyst removed off of the right wrist (palm side). the doctor cought it in time when it was still small, i was woundering in what percentage if they come back or if they dont. the artical i read said they may or may not come back, thats if the doctor got it all out. also how rare is it to get it on the palm side of the wrist.

luz

Nov 22, 2008 @ 7:19 pm

i had surgery 2 times on my same hand and it hurts like hell why does it hurt like that

Bevis McNutt

Dec 15, 2008 @ 12:12 pm

I have a recurring cyst in my wrist which I beat the crap out of when it gets big. It immediately pops under the skin and is minimally sore for a day or two. It then takes a few months for me to notice its return.

heather smith

Jan 8, 2009 @ 4:16 pm

I noticed mine in mid November also on my right wrist. It could only be seen if I bent my wrist but within a month it could definitely be seen when my wrist was in a relaxed position. My PCP referred me to an office spcializiing in hand/foot surgery and it will be removed (not aspirated) at the end of January. My job consists of 98% computer work so it is sore much of the time.

Josh

Jan 11, 2009 @ 3:03 am

I just bashed my ganglion on the back of my wrist. It was about the size of a walnut. It has now gone away.

Eric

Jan 21, 2009 @ 12:12 pm

Going into surgery tomorrow. I'm a computer programmer so I use my hands quite a bit. I have a cyst on the back of my right wrist. More likely from the mouse. I'm choosing not to use aspiration but rather surgical removal of the cyst.

I can't afford to have something come back again...worse?

Jarrod

Feb 10, 2009 @ 11:23 pm

I've had a ganglion cyst on my hand for years. It burst once while I was playing basketball. It comes back from time to time, but if I push on it a little bit it usually drains away. I'd recommend giving it a smack!

Saundra

Feb 14, 2009 @ 5:17 pm

I have had surgery 3 times on my left wrist for a dorsal ganglion cyst. I have also had aspiration done on the same wrist. I am going back again o the 20th of Feb. to get it removed once again. I figure if the 4th time of getting this thing removed doesn't work, I am done messing with it. It causes so much pain and I have to type for work. I wear my wrist brace everyday at work and by the time I get home, the pain in my arm, wrist and hand is unreal. I was told by many hand surgeon's that there is no guarentee that the cyst will remain gone. I can only hope. Good luck to everyone.

Erica

Mar 12, 2009 @ 8:08 am

I have had a ganglion cyst on my right foot on the inside just under my big toe. I went to the Dr and he aspirated it and then shot it with cortisone. He then gave me a tight sock to wear and I am to go back in two weeks. My foot is so sore, I can't even walk on it. Has anyone had this pain after an aspiration and if so,how long does it last? It is hard to rest my foot being I need it to walk on!

Kay

Apr 4, 2009 @ 5:17 pm

My 16 year old son had a ganglion cyst removed from the top of his wrist four weeks ago. Stitches were removed two weeks ago. We went back to the doctor Friday and the doctor didnt like the way it looked. The "bump" where the cyst was is larger and more obvious than the original cyst. The doctor was not sure if the cyst had returned or if this is scar tissue. Has anyone had this experience? Also, the pathology report stated the growth was, "a ganglion cyst with focal fibrosis. tissue was negative for atypicallity". that is good news, but still concerning to a mom when the growth comes back so fast....could this be sypmtomatic of something more serious? please tell me if i am a worrywart mom...it wont hurt my feelings.

eryca

Apr 6, 2009 @ 3:15 pm

i had a ganglion cyst on my right wrist near my palm... but it popped on the conveyour belt at work... i have another one forming but in a lower spot... what the heck?!?!

Christian

Apr 18, 2009 @ 1:13 pm

I have had a small cyst on the palm side of my wrist for some time, mostly non painful, but a while back i noticed it had become elongated. it now starts at the base of my palm and goes an inch and a half or so towards the middle of my palm. It feels about 1/4 of an inch wide. For the most part, it only bothers me when i play guitar for more than 30 minutes at a time.

I have not read of any other cysts becoming elongated, should this concern me?

Jim

Apr 23, 2009 @ 7:19 pm

I had a huge ganglion cyst on my ankle, but mine was in between two bones so it wasn't visible. It took forever to diagnose...I was told I had strained, sprained, twisted the ankle and had been treated for these injuries but of course that treatment did nothing. I was also told I had achilles tendonitis and the treatment for that did nothing either. Finally, an orthopedic surgeon ordered an MRI and found the cyst. I decided to surgically remove it. My surgery was a little over a month from when I had gotten the MRI and the cyst had more than doubled in size! There was also a lot of inflammation in my ankle which my surgeon took care of when he was removing the cyst. The recovery is not bad...it is BORING since I can't bear any weight on the ankle for a month but the pain is minimal if any. I would definitely recommend surgical removal if the cyst causes you pain...it may take a while to get back to normal activity but I couldn't walk on my foot before the surgery so it is well worth it!

anita

Apr 24, 2009 @ 1:13 pm

I am 28 and when i was 16 i had a very large cyst removed from my right wrist. It had actually damaged the bones in my wrist and i had to have them repaired with pins. My wrist had hurt for a few years, but you couldnt see anything.... all of a sudden in about the space of 2 weeks it go HUGE and visible. I couldnt move my wrist and it was every bit of the size of a golf ball just a little left of center on the top of my wrist. That was pretty heinous and had to do a lot of PT to loosen the scar tissue. Two years later i had another large cyst removed from my left wrist. It wasnt nearly as bad.... but now i got these weird bumps on my ankle and im wondering if this is what they are? One like right inside my ankle bone and then 2 more lumps right next to each other above my ankle more towards my shin. They are red and HURT like they are pulling on my muscles or something. Not cool

anita

Apr 24, 2009 @ 1:13 pm

James HIcks

Apr 26, 2009 @ 6:06 am

I recently had a ganglion cyst removed im 17 years old i had surgery like 4mths ago and it has came back.

Nik

May 16, 2009 @ 2:02 am

I had a ganglion cyst for a few months & I just popped it by smashing it with my fist..Its popped & I massaged the top of the hand to distribute the gel evenly so it would disolve into the surrounding tissue..Was that a dangerous move???

Jack

May 29, 2009 @ 7:19 pm

It seems like recurring ganglions isn't that rare. I had the same experience as many here. Had a dorsal cyst removed from my right wrist. The cyst was back even before the cast was taken off. I decided not to have a second operation. It bothers me, though.

Vee

Jun 1, 2009 @ 4:16 pm

I have a ganglion cyst on the top of my foot. it's not painful but is growing and I was advised not to bother it if it don't bother me but it's very unattractive and I love heels any suggestions?

Jun 7, 2009 @ 1:01 am

I need to have surgery to remove the cyst does anyone know about how much this will cost or how much they paid for this( with insurance)i know it varies by Doctor and state and insurance but i just want an ballpark figure if anyone knows.....

mishelle gibney

Jun 15, 2009 @ 4:16 pm

i had a ganglion cyst on my wrist removed on the 16th april, when i returned to have check up 2 weeks later it was back i am now going in on the 19th june to have it removed again as the pain is unbearable

Angie

Jun 16, 2009 @ 10:22 pm

I had a ganglion on top of my right wrist. I had it removed 3 years ago. After if healed I had a lump still. It came back. A year later I had it removed again. They did some burning of something is there too. What ever the 2nd guy did, it worked. No problem. If you can I recommend it be removed even a second time if necessary. Now I have one along my archilles tendon in my foot. Dr. appointment tomorrow.

kriz

Jun 21, 2009 @ 8:20 pm

I have this bumpy thing in my right wrist.Before, it was only a single round thing but now i think it divided into two!I'm really conscious of it that i actually bought something just to cover this. I have read so many things about this ganglion cyst and I'm afraid of surgery as one method to treat this. Thinking of all the results after treating this cyst...,i think i just let this be removed on its natural way..hoping there is..

daniel

Jun 22, 2009 @ 10:22 pm

When i was 18 i had a huge ganglion cyst surgicaly removed. Im now 32 and it came back.Much smaller this time.I tried asperation but the dr couldnt get much out in the needle. He even shot it up with cordizone 2 diffrent times with in a 8 week period.it did nothing.It hurts me since it is most likley pushing on some nerves.The 1st time i had it cut out it was cake.I was awake and had my arm straped to a board as they shot it up with novicane directly in the cyst.This time my dr will not touch it.Says he is refering me to a specialist since there will be alot of scar tissue cutting into it this time.The specialist says he will have to give me the twilite at a minimum.He refuses to let me be awake.I dont like being put to sleep.Im gonna use a week of vacation time and have the surgery some time this summer.

Bobbie

Jun 27, 2009 @ 11:23 pm

I have had cysts since I was ten (about 28 years) and this time its painfull in both wrists at the same time. It came on suddently after going to two specialists one who won't touch my wrists at all the second one told me that i have alot of scar tissue several small cysts and arthitis...so, there is not alot I can do except hope he comes up with a magical cure because this pain is tremendous and I cant live on pain killers and they are to small to suck the fluid out...

D.anne

Jul 9, 2009 @ 10:10 am

I have had multiple ganglion cysts on the bottom of my foot along the tendon for many years. My doctors have never suggested aspirating them, nor have they recommended surgery. In fact they never commented much on them, rather dismissed my concerns. I have been very frustrated as they are very painful at times and I believe they are affecting the nerves in my foot causing my toenails to appear less healthy with a high degree of breakage. After reading all these comments I will look for a good foot surgeon and get, once again, another opinion. Will keep you all posted.

Virginia

Jul 26, 2009 @ 12:12 pm

I have had a ganglion cyst in my wrist for about two years due to playing too much violin. I had it aspirated, but it came back within two weeks.
I can't bend my wrist further than a 120° angle, and it is in a lot of pain from when I accidentally bent it the other day. I wear a brace when it hurts, but right now it's not helping. Seems to make it even weaker.
I'm sick of my wrist being so weak. I can barely do anything with it. I'm considering the surgery, but I'm afraid it'll make things worse.
Anybody had it and it went well?

Rebecca

Aug 6, 2009 @ 1:01 am

im 15 and i just recently noticed a cyst on my right wrist and it has gotten considerably bigger in a short amount of time. i dont want to live with this thing on me for the rest of my life. it doesnt hurt that bad but there is some pain and i would much rather pay to get it removed than have to live with it forever.

Sarah

Aug 19, 2009 @ 9:21 pm

TOP OF FOOT GANGLION CYST

Had major surgery on my foot ganglion cyst 6 months ago. Paid a fortune for it, even though I have insurance. Well, at least I met my huge deductible for the year. ha.

Now have a nasty brownish 5 inch scar down the top of my foot. Did I mention I had to be on crutches for a month too? Ugh. At least I had high hopes it was done with and I was cured of it forever.

NOT!!! It's already coming back right where it started the last time, in the same place. Already the little bump is the diameter of a dime protruding underneath the skin where it all started in the first place....before it took over the near entire surface of the top of my foot like last time.

Starts out as a small little marble looking thing under the skin and already it is junctioning sideways in the form of a rectangle! It doesn't really hurt all that much again yet, it just feels like a giant pimple underneath my skin that would happily SPEW its little heart out if given a needle for relief. Sorry, I know that sounds grose. But I know it's going to get huge again like last time. That's how it's been so far. Numerous aspirations and cortisone injections. Finally getting too thick for that form of therapy, then requiring surgery.

I didn't get to see what was actually taken out because I was put under for an hour while it was surgically removed, but at my followup appointment all the doctor and nurse could talk about was that it was the 'hugest one they had ever SEEN, and it looked like a gigantic jellyfish! Wish I could have seen it for myself before it got sent off to the lab. Oh well.

Am going back to the same Podiatrist Specialist after another ordered MRI next week and will probably have to undergo either another aspiration and cortisone injection in the office. Which never helps. Seems the little devil feeds off off all that attention.

Mine was from an accident from dropping a vacuum cleaner on my foot 3 years ago. A lesson learned. Wear steel toed boots in everything you do...or risk dealing with leaky tendon juice that turns thick in no time, and requires surgery after surgery to get that root sack cut off somehow.

Maybe I should name the little guy something, and just learn to live with it?...I don't know. Haven't read anything too promising on this website. If I am ever found to be permanently rid of this, and happen to turn out to be a SUCCESS STORY, I will be sure to post it on this website to give others some form of hope and relief from this ridiculous burden ! : )

cnessa

Sep 1, 2009 @ 11:11 am

have a ganglion on the top/middle of my left hand, started small and is now the size of a large gumball you get out of the gumball machine, very unsighlty and causes stiffness and lots of pain. My first visit to a doctor was unsuccessful, he had me doing physical therapy. The cyst got bigger because most of my job consist of typing and using the computer (Legal Adm. Asst). I wear a brace to try to keep it minimized but after typing pleading after pleading, etc. It grows and grows. I went to a specialist and he immediately checked it out, and schedule surgery. After surgery, he will put my hand in a splint or cast for about 10-12 days or longer due to my line of work. He told me it won't do any good if I don't let it heal properly and go right back to work. Wish me luck. PS, I now have a small one appearing on my right hand. Oh my!!

irma

Sep 4, 2009 @ 12:12 pm

I was diag. with a ganglion cyst on the bottom of the right side of my foot, just to the right of the arch. It is very painful, feels like a hot coal. The recommended treatment by my podiatrist was to apply salicylic acid to the cyst 2x day and cover with a band aid. I need to return in two weeks, I don't know what he'll do next, but I have not seen this treatment mentioned in the above statements. I'll keep you updated.

Amie Kang

Sep 5, 2009 @ 2:14 pm

hay, ive had this cyst on my right wrist for as long as i can remember 2 years. im considering surgery for it but am scared it wont help; because on july 4(it is now sept 5) i was Atv'ing with family and i most likely chipped the bone tip and my doctor will do nothing about that! he wont take me seriously, im only 13. i have limited mobility. im sick over the whole thing and i need help, thanks.

amie

johny

Sep 16, 2009 @ 6:18 pm

i have had 6 ganglion cysts removed from top of my wrist last in feb 2009, and now i have another one in exact same spot again it is hard to use fingers and have lost momement in right wrist and very limited movement in fingers is this common for so many reocurences tried many different doctors and still no luck getting rid of this pain everyday

katie

Sep 16, 2009 @ 8:20 pm

i had a cyst removed from my let wrist about 2 years ago and now my wrist is hurting where i had the surgery and into my hand and lower arm by the wrist. there is no bump like there was when i had the cyst i dont know what it could be ? any ideas?

JULIE ANGLIN

Sep 20, 2009 @ 12:12 pm

I HAVE HAD 3 SURGERIES IN ONE LAST DECEMBER, HOW EVER AS A RESULT I ONLY HAVE 17% USE OF MY HAND NOW. THAT WASNT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN BUT DID. HOW EVER AFTER REMOVEING THE CYST , GUESS WHAT ITS BACK AGAIN AND JST AS BIG. IM WONDERING WHY IT CAME BACK AND IF I SHOULD LET HIM REMOVE THIS ONE .IM AFRAID I WONT HAVE ANY HAND USE AFTER THIS ONE. I HAVE PAIN DAILY AND AM LIMITED TO WHAT I CAN DO WITH IT. IF ANY ONE HAS ANY INFO PLEASE E-MAIL ME THANKS, JULIE

Kenny

Sep 21, 2009 @ 12:12 pm

This is an excellent article, it answered all the questions I have about ganglion cyst.

Kayla

Oct 10, 2009 @ 11:23 pm

I have a ganglion cyst that i have had for almost a year now. It was discovered by my chiropractor who was just working on my carpel tunnel. He sent me to a Massage therapist who loosened it up greatly. It was almost gone when I stopped going. this was in march. It is now october and its back and larger. I dont know what to try next i am kinda scared of needles but it hurts really bad and i am only 23 and have a rambunctious two year old and sometimes its so bad i cant hold her or play with her.. any ideas..

broadh2o

Oct 15, 2009 @ 7:19 pm

I had surgery on friday oct 9th for the removal of a ganglion cyst on my left wrist. I thought that it would just be sore for a day or so and I could return to normal activities. My hand and fingers are swollen and I have pain and burning. Is this normal? I return to the doctor tomorrow for post op examine. My job is typing all day, and I have to process a certain amount per hour, at this rate I am going, it looks like I need to be out for a least 4wks total. I hope that I will be back up to speed by then.

Angus

Nov 11, 2009 @ 3:15 pm

I had mine injected with some sort of steroid by my doctor and it went away for a while then my skin discoloured and i got vertilgo symptoms in the ares where the steroid was. And as it faded the ganglion came back. It sucks so I'm gonna go back and get a ganglionectomy.

Jennifer Seidelq

Nov 13, 2009 @ 2:14 pm

@ Angela. I had the same procedure myself. It was done back in 2006, the doctor injected cortisone rather than the usual procedure of aspiration or the surgical method. My left wrist had been fractured before, so I believe this is why it grew. It was incredibly painful before the injection, however, after the injection..oh boy..my entire wrist area was numb for about two weeks. I did not have any problems after that. It is now an entire 3 yrs later and it has grown back. I am not sure how to go about handling this one. The cortisone injection was successful in that it lasted 3 yrs, but I do not want it to grow again, and that is my concern. I am not sure what to do now. I have had 3 surgeries this past year already not related to this problem, I am tired of being cut open! I am afraid of it growing back even if I do have aspiration or ganglionectomy. Has anyone ever had one grow back after a ganglionectomy?

Nov 13, 2009 @ 6:18 pm

just got mt ganglion removed from left wrist 4 days ago under general anistectic only have use of 1 hand. pain bad but will be worth it if gone 4 good as gave a lot of pain over last 5 years.

Ashley Quintero

Nov 25, 2009 @ 8:20 pm

I HAD A GANGLION CYST REMOVED FROM THE TOP OF MY LEFT WRIST IT , HURT WHEN I WOKE UP FROM THE SURGERY MY HAND IS NOW SWOLEN IS IT SUPPOSED TO BE, AND DOES IT COME BACK OR WILL IT?

Ashwani bansal

Nov 25, 2009 @ 9:21 pm

i wann to know abut let leg last linger cyst.. how to diagnose

Cathy

Dec 3, 2009 @ 10:10 am

I am a 61 y. o. massage therapist and have apparantly developed a ganglion on the extensor tendon of my left thumb IP joint. This appeared only about 2 weeks ago. I suspect I also have OA developing at both thumb MCP joints. At this time it's not interfering with my work but is tender on palpation and near full thumb IP flexion. What course of action would you suggest? I intend to work several more years.

Rachel

Dec 5, 2009 @ 10:22 pm

I just had surgery on my right wrist and i had the ganglion cyst removed and they put a semi cast on me but i have been going through it wondering when is it going to heal all the way,i cant sleep at night without tossin an turnin and i have to say with everything that people go through dealing with casts..i tip my hat off to them. This cast has been messin with my head and next time i pray i dont break nothing..if you have this cyst and you never had surgery before and you want it removed that way, try other alternatives and have surgery as your last option lol.

Nancy

Dec 16, 2009 @ 10:22 pm

I have a cyst on the side of my forefinger on my right hand. it is at the level of the second joint. It is large and seems to be growing. It is starting to press on the nerve of the finger and cause me nerve pain and numbness. It is very annoying. I saw my family doctor today and he said injecting that joint would be very painful for probably a week and he was not keen to do it. He advised soft splinting it first to rest it and perhaps it will improve a bit. I am depressed. It hurts and is more annoying now that I cannot bend it. I need to use my hands!

steve

Dec 19, 2009 @ 5:17 pm

I had a cyst removed form my right wrist two years ago. Was out of work longer then I was told I would be and had to wear a half cast for a couple weeks, pain wasn't bad and I have full use of my hand, in all I am glad I had it done.
Now I have a cyst at the base of my finger! Hurts worse each day I am going to have it removed in January! What makes these things come back? Good luck to each one of you.

Angela

Dec 25, 2009 @ 8:20 pm

I had a ganglion cyst on my right wrist for about 2 weeks. It appeared so fast. I woke up one day and it was there. I bumped it on the corner of the bathroom door lastnight, on accident. I am now cyst free! I asked around and i learned that it may be caused by overexertion. I think my came from typing too much. Basically I believe that they can be caused from doing a little more than your wrist is used to.

Sam

Dec 26, 2009 @ 9:09 am

I have had a cysts on my right wrist for as long as I can remember. I am well aware if it doesn't hurt, let it be. It is over an artery, so I leave it alone.
About 1 1/2 months ago, after feeling pain in my left foot, this thing appeared all of a sudden! I had been feeling pain there but had no idea a ganglion cysts could form on the top of my foot. Off to the doc I went. After an x-ray and an MRI a ganglion cysts was diagnosed. After aspiration of very little fluid as it had solidified, the area was "traumatized" with the needle in hopes of it dissipating. Well, two to three days later, it had smoothed out and it started looking like a foot again. Yeah! Well, it's been two weeks now and a small area looks like it it starting again. Oh boy here we go again! After researching I discovered that the rate do reoccurrence can be as high as 80%. Some of us are just prone to ganglion cysts. They really do not know what make them for other than repeated use of the area. The doctor has done everything possible to help this situation. There is no blame to place. There is only more research to be done. The good news no matter how painful or disruptive your cyst(s) are, it or (they) are BENIGN!

Adrienne

Dec 30, 2009 @ 1:01 am

I had a ganglion cyst on my right foot. It showed up last year around october and rapidly became the size of cherry tomatoe. I had the wait and see what happens approach for 2 months but the cyst kept getting bigger and finally It was so big I had trouble putting on shoes because anything that touched it would hurt. I had it surgically removed in january and it has not come back. Only downfall is that during the surgery I had some nerve damage and still have not regained all of the feeling in on the top of my foot and when I push on the incision site, which is about 2 inches long, my big toe tingles. Unfortunately now I have a lump on my right wrist that seems to be following in the same trend as the one on my foot. I hope this one goes away on its own.

Melanie

Jan 2, 2010 @ 11:23 pm

I wore some cute (but very uncomfortable) high-heeled shoes for a New Year's party; then the next day I noticed a large, round bump on the top of my right foot. It doesn't hurt; it feels & looks like a "round bone" on the top of my foot - right in the middle, next to a big tendon that runs down the top of my foot. Although it doesn't hurt, my foot feels "weird" sometimes, with occasional tingling or numbness, I think? I'm guessing this is a ganglion cyst, and it seems like needle-aspiration / surgery might or might not help. I guess I caused some stress & damage by wearing these uncomfortable shoes & dancing/standing in them all night... :( Thanks everyone for your posts & comments; I suppose I should at least see a doctor & confirm it is a ganglion cyst & keep an eye on it to see if it gets bigger & causes me more problems, or if I'm a lucky-case where it disappears on its own. Happy New Year everyone!

sarah

Jan 6, 2010 @ 12:12 pm

i have had a ganglion cyst on my wrist and dont have insuranced i wondered about how much it would be for surgery? i just need a ball park and any help would be helpful

Jon

Jan 17, 2010 @ 7:07 am

I suffered from a ganglion on top of my foot (instep) for a considerable time in my teens (I'm now 48), until it swelled so much that I couldn't put a shoe on, and walking was very painful. On one visit to my doctor, he asked me to place my bare foot on top of the seat for him to examine. He then took a huge medical dictionary from his shelf, opened it to the page where 'ganglion' was explained, and asked me to read it, just so I knew "what we are dealing with." I then gave the book back to him, whereupon he quickly closed it and, to my great shock, he whacked it down incredibly hard on top of my foot. "All gone now," he said. It felt as though he'd broken my foot, but he reassured me that all that had happened was that the ganglion had been shattered, and the pieces would disappear naturally. My instep was bruised for a few days, but the ganglion was gone, and never came back. Worked a treat! Now I read that this 'treatment' was only an urban legend, that no respectable doctor would do such a thing, and not recommended due to side effects, so I better not recommend it. Anyway, it really happened to me...

jen

Jan 22, 2010 @ 12:12 pm

I have what I believe is this cyst on the inside of my right ankle, doesn't hurt is very ugly with time it has gottin bigger..how do I get rid of it?

Erin

Jan 28, 2010 @ 6:18 pm

I have a small ganglion cyst on my big toe, and the doctor told me to get it aspirated, but I've read that it could go away on it's own. I'm not sure if i want to get it removed or just wait - any suggestions?
Oh, and it's not really bugging me at all, unless I bend my toe too far. Otherwise, i can apply pressur and it's not too bad. Oh, and for anyone who wants to tell me "Just smack it!" I can't for 2 reasons. 1)I'd probably hurt my toe and 2)I'm a chicken

rdevil420

Jan 30, 2010 @ 4:04 am

I had a large ganglion cyst removed off the top of my wrist a year and half ago it was the size off a golf ball. I had carpal tunnel surgery done at the same time same hand I healed very well from the surgery, although now the cyst has returned about half the size and sore I had a friend smash it with a large book, Painful and not helpful. I lanced it today with a 18 guage needle and nothing came out. my best advice is prayer and maybe homeapathic treatment seems like if they are going to come back your just going to have to find a way to deal with them every couple years. best of luck.

Yvette

Feb 5, 2010 @ 12:00 am

I had a ganglion removed from the top of of my hand about a year ago. Id had it for about 7yrs & it was huge. The doc said i was lucky it hadnt attached itself to my bones. It kept coming & going but everytime it came back i was in a lot of pain & couldnt bend my hand. So i had it removed under local anaestetic, the surgery wasnt bad at all & it took about 2wks to recover. Over the past 2wks ive noticed that ive been getting the pains back which the doc said could happen. Woke up this morning & can hardly move my hand :( there is a very small lump under the scar in the exact same place. I keep getting pins & needles in it too & numbness. Guess i better go back to the docs :(
Can you ever get rid of them & have them not come back?

Feb 10, 2010 @ 4:16 pm

This is my 2nd wrist gang.cyst...the 1st disappeared on its own; this one apx size of walnut; no pain yet unsightly; HMO refused to aspirate/lacerate...hoping this one will disappear too, until then: I just use the ROUNDNESS as a canvas...paint a delightful HAPPY FACE...move on...if GAWKERS are gonna GAWK...I give 'em something "Beautiful" to marvel over. Wouldn't reco this for JOB INTERVIEWS however...thankful for what I've got: Could be in the middle of my forever...knowing me, I would then PAINT my THIRD EYE...we should start an association: ANTI-GANGLIONS LTD. Good luck...

delfin

Feb 12, 2010 @ 4:16 pm

i have cysts forming on my wrist, and on my left elbow inside my arm. i went to the doctors today and he said to smash the wrist cyst with a book, since i dont have insurance. that seems a little weird, but my girlfriend really wants to do it!!

Feb 14, 2010 @ 2:14 pm

I had two ganglion cysts between the first and second joints of my right index finger for about six months and finally had surgery to remove them in November 2009. By mid January 2010 a cyst returned in the same area. Will probably need to get surgery done again because it hurts. Will need to spend $$$ again as my annual deductible is $2500 and the last surgery the doctor charged $1700. And don't know if the cyst will come back again! But I will count my blessings as others are having more problems and pain than I am...

Becca

Mar 10, 2010 @ 3:03 am

I have had 2 surgeries to remove a ganglion cyst on the bottom of my wrist right by my thumb.The last surgery that I had was done in march 3 years ago and by the end of April that same year it started to come back. Keep in mind I had my first surgery only a year and a half before the second on so I wasn't about to have a third one so soon. I'm fed up with dealing with the surgeries so I've just been letting it go these past 3 years. Unfortunately it's getting to the point where I can't take the pain and being that the cyst is located right next to an artery and a nerve ending it's starting to affect them.

Sharon

Mar 10, 2010 @ 5:17 pm

I had same said cyst on my foot. Had surgery to have it removed. It went down, then increased in size, hurts like heck and I think it is still there?

SSD

Mar 15, 2010 @ 2:14 pm

after a year of foot pain an mri showed a ganglion cyst the pain @times is unbearable as ive read surgery may not be worth the time lost or money lost! id love to hear from someone who thinks surgery is really worth it

nickyduvyrda

Mar 24, 2010 @ 5:17 pm

This past December I had a ganglion cyst removed from my right wrist. It was on the upper part of my wrist. My cyst was quite large and had two cells. My doctor tried three times to aspirate it but still the cyst remained. I had to have surgery during December to remove it. Now I have a small lump still under my scar where the incision is. My doctor called it scar tissue and quickly dismissed me. Today it's aching a bit and does so when it rains. I have a vitamin e oil in my purse to massage my wrist with because it gets stiff at times...is this normal or should I try to find a different doctor who won't just rush me out the door

Jessica

Mar 24, 2010 @ 10:22 pm

I have had a ganglion cyst on my wrist for years and had it injected several times and it would slowly go away but then it would come back well it just burst and I would like to know if there is anything I can do to relieve the pain (ie: should I wrap it with a ace bandage, apply heat or ice or anything??? Not sure what to do.

Vonnie

Mar 24, 2010 @ 10:22 pm

I have a ganglion cyst below my right elbow. Have had the fluid taken out three times and it came back. The cyst appeared in 1996 and I will not wear a short sleeve dress, blouse or short sleeve T-Shirt. Although I would like to. Would you recommend surgery? Also, I have broken both wrists due to a fall. I liked Stephen's remarks. Appreciate any suggestions

Jenny

Mar 25, 2010 @ 4:16 pm

I have had a ganglion on my left wrist for the past 15 years. I very nearly had it removed 4 years ago but changed my mind as didn't like the idea of the procedure. It recently grew to the size of a ping pong ball! whilst exercising it burst but the fluid just stayed on the surface of my hand and within two weeks the thing was back again. It now hurts like hell so i am finally biting the bullet and having it removed next week.

Alysse

Mar 31, 2010 @ 1:01 am

i have a cyst on the top of my wrist. i've had it there for about a month and it hadnt bothered me up until a week ago. i went to the doctor and he said i can either leave it or i can have it removed. i have stiffness in it now and i am wondering if an aspiration is even going to help. i am very active and i plan on being a softball coach in the summer. any opinions?

david

Apr 6, 2010 @ 12:00 am

I had a cyst on my wrist, went to xray, mri, all kinds of things doctor and specialist recommended. Then they had me on surgery to remove it. Now after 4 months, it comes back. Worse, it hurts now (vs. before that it didn't hurt at all, just got bigger and bigger, so I didn't feel comfortable). I wish I have not done the surgery! Take my advice.
Many friends of mine told me that it can be cured completely with good accupunture doctor, some know and confirm that by seeing their family/friends, some even went through with accupunture doctor. Don't waste your time and your money with mri/surgery because the cyst will come back very soon after the surgery!

Shelly

Apr 18, 2010 @ 7:19 pm

I had a cyst on the top of my left foot. I had it drained twice and then opted for surgery and had it done early this week. I sure hope it doesn't come back! Right now my foot is still in pain and I'm in a surgical shoe. I hate this!

sean garrison

Apr 19, 2010 @ 8:20 pm

MY CIST IS LOCATED 1/2 INCH FROM MY LEFT EYE AND IT IS ABOUT 2/3 INCHIN SIZE WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE TO GET RID OF THIS PARTICULAR ONE

britt

Apr 21, 2010 @ 12:00 am

MIDDLE JOINT OF FINGER CYST--ugh!

Has or does anyone out there had/have a ganglion cyst on the middle joint of their finger? NOT at the base, NOT at the tip--but on the CENTER joint? I've had one for nearly 2 years now and it just will NOT go away--needless to say in my line of work I'm always using my hands, as I'm a cook and barista at two different cafes.ity

Any suggestions? The cyst is located on the inside of my right forefinger, smack dab in the middle of it on the middle joint right where it bends--it looks wierd, like I've got some sort of deformity, ugh!

PLEASE email me if you have/have had a ganglion like this before--so far I've found no one with one in the same location. >.

Shawn

Apr 29, 2010 @ 3:15 pm

I had large ganglion cyst on right top of wrist removed surgically over a week a ago. The same bump is still there. I am reading alot of people were told it's scar tissue? I went back to my dr today and he told me there is no problem!it's "post-op" swelling. it hurts just the same as before the surgery. does anyone have any advice?? please email or post thoughts.it feels like cyst is still there or has grown back already.

Kelvin

May 1, 2010 @ 4:04 am

Hey guys, 2 years ago my friend was pulling me roughly into a class and i felt like a pop in my left wrsit. i thought it was a snapped bone but it never hurt at all. to this day it doesnt hurt or bother me. it looks exactly like a ganglion cyst ive seen in many photos and its in my left wrist. its never hurt or anything but i will be getting surgery in 2 weeks because i heard its cancerous so id like to avoid that. im reading a lot of comments saying the cyst hurt some part of their arm before the surgery but its never hurt me at all so it seems strange. feel free to email me if you have anything to say for me. kelvintoogood@yahoo.com

amanda

May 3, 2010 @ 10:22 pm

I had a right wrist ganglion on the ulna bone, had it removed and some of the ulna bone. now just over a year later getting pain again :-( hopefully its not another ganglion but going to doc this week to find out.

One thing I want to say about surgery is yes, you will get swelling if the hand is not elevated after surgery. Keep hand elevated and wiggle fingers at every opportunity to keep swelling down while arm is bandaged.

Also, I did at least nine months of exercises to get my forearm rotation back to normal - the surgery is the easy part, the post-op exercises is the hard part.

Good luck

Nancy

May 4, 2010 @ 10:10 am

Britt.
I am just trying to recover from having my gangion removed from the same finger; but mine was on same joint but on top rather than under. I am now almost 3 months out of surgery and it's AWFUL. It is swollen, hurts like hell,and red. I've had it checked now 7x and all I get is , "It takes time to heal". Well, I'm sure since they had to go into the bone that it does need time; but I am convinced now that either a stitch was left that didn't dissolve OR a piece of bone is still festering in there. I'm going for another opinion and an x-ray to see what's wrong . If you can avoid surgery, avoid it. I hope you find a good solution.

Katie S.

May 9, 2010 @ 6:18 pm

I am 14 and I have a ganglion cyst on the top of my left wrist. I am a dancer so it is really painful and i've had it since July 2009. I've had it aspirated once already and about a week later it came back twice as big as before and it grows bigger basically every day. I am scheduled for surgery on May 11th (Next Tuesday) and im very very nervous! I don't want to have a big nasty scar and I'm terrified of needles! :( But I hate this nasty lump even more! It looks like someone put a very large grape right under the surface of my skin. I'm just glad other people have gone through this already! Good luck to everyone else who has one of these! They suck!

Deena L

May 9, 2010 @ 10:22 pm

I had a dorsal ganglion cyst removed on 4-4-10. I had it for about a year ot more. It grew to where it was pushing on my Radial nerve and Artery. The pain was horible it generated from my wrist to my elbow then to my neck. I had the cyst removed, I really wasn't prepared for the recovery process. I thought I would be right back to work and everyhting good as new, not true. Mine had to removed from the bone as it wrapped around my wrist. I have been out of work for 4 weeks now, going back tomorrow. I still feel pain and tingling sensations from the surgery. I still have not regained all the feeling back in my thumb area but I am trying to keep positive. I am vey glad the pain in my arm is gone but I just didn't think the recovery would take this long.

triciag

May 11, 2010 @ 8:08 am

I have a ganglion on the inside of my wrist, which appeared from no-where just before xmas and is now about walnut sized and uncomfortable. I have an appointment with a specialist in a few weeks and am very scared about the options.

wendy

May 16, 2010 @ 9:09 am

I have a ganglion occult cyst on my left pinky finger. I have been feeling pain (sometimes even burning extreme pain) for about two months. Doc took xray .. bone joints look fine. He acted as if no big deal and prescribed me an anti inflammantory. I want to see a specialist about excision as I do not want to chance a regrowth that sometimes occur in aspiration. What kind of doctor specialized in this surgery?

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aisha

May 16, 2010 @ 10:22 pm

I have a cyst on my hand. I had it for about 5 months and the drs say its benign bt now it went down and now I feel pain n my hand and up my arm and my hand is weak and cold. Is that normal or should I seek care asap?

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Karen

May 17, 2010 @ 11:11 am

I have a ganglion cyst on my left ankle. I have had it for a very long time, it has just started causing me pain. My Dr. has recommended that I have it removed. I am wondering what the recovery is for this type of surgery from those that have had it done. Thanks for any help.

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Brandi

May 17, 2010 @ 3:15 pm

Hey. I have had a ganglion cyst for about over two years and i havn't had an enormous amount of pain until a couple of years ago. My doctor gave me suggestions on bone doctors to get it examined. Im so nervous that i might have to have it surgically removed because it would really mess up my summer. It hurts more and more each day, and right now it hurts to bend it and move it around. It is also getting bigger and bigger each day. Im getting more and more pain and i honestly cant stand it. I have an appointment coming up next monday and im really nervous. And im at a younger age than required from what i have heard. Im 13 and i have had it since i was 11 so wish me good luck. I think i will need it and i wish you guys luck too.

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Sara

May 28, 2010 @ 11:11 am

I just had one excised from the bottom of my right little finger. Im right handed. I have *religiously* kept the hand above my heart even thought it has been very hard to live/eat/dress/type etc but im lucky to have a husband who understands..he had the same thing 6yrs before on his left base of thumb. I wiggle my fingers often, tell myself its just for a week, its worth it.. Feeling came back within the day, and so far only minimal pain right over the cut, no swelling. I had the cyst for about 20yrs but it was only occasionally hurting. I thought I had a bone spur. 2 months ago started to hurt more and my whole hand started feeling weaker, numbness along that side of the hand, etc.. so it was time, it had got bigger, I could feel it easily. I know it can come back but I think I need to take better care of my hands/wrists from now on so plan to look into wrist braces, etc. I work at a PC a lot. Am also wearing a knitted fingerless mitten over it while its in a sling, it helps keep it just a little warm and stops things touching the insiscion, but it still breathes.

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Marsha

May 29, 2010 @ 7:07 am

I developed a ganglion on top of my right wrist when I was in 11th grade. My Mom took me to the Dr. and he told us what it was. He asked me if there was any pain and I told him no. He said to leave it alone. I had another Dr. do the bible trick, but it came back. 11 yrs. later, I developed pain, called my family Dr. and he sent me to a surgeon. He told me I should have had the cyst removed when I 1st got it. He told me that these cysts grow tentacles and when he went in, I had growth down all of my fingers and clear up to my elbow, with the growth intertwined amongst the tendons. I ended up having 3 sugeries on the same hand in a five year period. So, I would suggest surgery right in the beginning.

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mona

May 31, 2010 @ 6:06 am

Hi can someone recommend a good doctor who treats ganglion in sydney, have had one in my wrist for years and pain is getting worse, need to take it away. thanks

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michelle

Jun 2, 2010 @ 4:04 am

I had a large cyst on my right foot due to an minor injury ignored the problem and didnt think anything of it. will it keep getting bigger it was not painful but it just look nasty cause I could wear heels or sandals was embaressed of it or didnt want to keep explain the prob to everyone. Well I have it drained 5 times before I had surgery. Im currently still heal and have been in a splint and have it wrapped. The doctor said that the size of my cyst on the outside was the same on the inside. He had to restructure some of the tissue in my foot..This has been hail for me. I cant apply any pressure to that foot since the staples have to stay secure enough that the wound don't oppen because if it does I have to do a since graf...Im trying to avoid that so I've been following the doc advise. He said that I was lucky and should take care of these problems like this before they get worse. It took him 2hr for my surgery and he also mentioned if I didnt take care of it sooner my foot could of gotten amputated...kind of scary didnt think a bump on your foot can do so much damage..but it did. Im now paying for it since I didn't get it surgically removed when I was told. I cant do anything and it seems like its going to be longer than a month to actually recover. I prop have to go to theraphy to start walking on it again. I hope that everyone takes care of there cyst before it causes damage to your tissue or bone. I really recommend to remove it unless getting it drained have worked for you as it does for some not all. well got to go my leg hurts and I have to keep it elevated at all times. Im trapped in my house.. and its hard getting around with one leg..Never again will I put myself in this situation. Good Luck to all and I hope I do recover well don't want to get a skin graf..take care of yourself.

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Kris

Jun 4, 2010 @ 6:18 pm

Am hoping you still check this site; I have just discovered a ganglion cyst on the solee of my foot on a tendon in the arch area.. it appears two weeks ago and seems to be getting bigger qickly. Also noticed another small one on same foot and now two tiny ones on the bottom of my other foot.. Should I get this one aspirated right away rather than wait for it to get so large I cannot walk?

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Gale Buchanan

Jun 8, 2010 @ 12:12 pm

Here's the info. about ganglion cysts. Looks like they are harmless unless they cause pain.

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ace400x

Jun 22, 2010 @ 2:14 pm

Ok, so I think I have a cyst on my forearm, or whatever the place between your wrist and elbow's called. I don't keep track of body part names. ANYWAYS, I was wondering if the removal procedure would be disturbing for me.

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Kimberly

Jun 22, 2010 @ 9:21 pm

I had a ganglion cyst removed from my right wrist in January 2005 and it had recently returned and had it removed on June 10, 2010. The orthopedist claims that there is a 10% chance of recurrence. I had one forming on the left side but it is now gone. I have had success over the years with working with chiropractors on the joints. This way if a misalignment is causing the tendons to catch and create a sac for the fluid, then the adjustment may help minimize or reduce the size. I also use arnica gel for swelling and pain. When the doctor took the cast off today, he was surprised that there was very little swelling (less than normal). I kept ice on it most of the day for the entire week and a half (this also kept me from using it). I also put arnica on my arm below the cast and on my fingers as well as taking arnica tablets. I also was taking ginger/drinking ginger ale because I get sick with needles. Ginger is known for its pain and inflammation fighting properties as well as nausea. I am not a doctor but rather an accountant that abuses my hands at the computers day and night. Good luck to all of you!

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Meredith

Jun 24, 2010 @ 5:17 pm

I have a dorsal occult ganglion and this FU**ERS are PAINFUL! Going to get it aspirated tomorrow, I really hope it works cuz I have to pick up a 14 month old everyday and it's not so easy when there's excruciating pain shooting through my wrist. I've gotten them in the past but they've never been this painful.

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Chris

Jun 26, 2010 @ 2:02 am

I have a small growth on my wrist, and I believe it's a small dorsal ganglion cyst. It's only visible when I bend my hand down, but it still had me worried. It doesn't hurt but I occasionally experience brief periods of numbness in my pinky and ring finger. (Is that normal?) I don't have the money for a doctor visit, but I'm 99.9% sure that this is a dorsal ganglion cyst. I started taking ibuprofen for it yesterday in hopes that it would go away on it's own and I've started wearing a wrist brace. I read that ibuprofen and a wrist brace can help fight the cyst on another site, is that correct? I'm willing to do anything to avoid surgery.

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joeyjoejoe

Jun 27, 2010 @ 10:10 am

I just had mine operated on under the wrist near the palm- volar ganglion cyst. The doc said it was a whopper, and have to see the doc in a few days for stitches removed and follow up. It is very swollen so it sounds like I might have to live with that for a fair while to come yet. Pressure on the tendon going down my thumb has been relieved but the wrist is still pretty sore. There is still some pain in the wrist joint and I expect that to stay as I have ben using a walking stick for about 18 years now in that hand. Hopefully the cyst won't come back or won't be as huge if it does. I really don't want to have to go through the op again for not much gain but am glad I did it and am looking forward to regaining most of the use of it again. I had popped it about a year ago but it seemed to form two bubbles and continue to grow the more I used it. It was quite strange when it first appeared and continued to grow during that day. I went to the docs to see what it was as I had never heard of them before.

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Kim

Jun 28, 2010 @ 9:09 am

How do I know the difference between a ganglion cyst and Bouchard's node (osteophyte)?? I've got something on top of the knuckle (under the skin) - at the PIP joint. It started our like a BB pellet and then another grew next to it - now they appear to be jointed. Thanks!

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Mom

Jul 11, 2010 @ 2:14 pm

My cyst is huge! on my foot in between my toes. bigger then a cherry tomatoe, just got a cortizone shot yesterday, hop it works!

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Kati D

Jul 29, 2010 @ 4:16 pm

I have a cyst on my right wrist and plan on having it removed. How painful is the surgery? Also, about how long is recovery?