A lump on the tendons of your wrist or hands. These cysts may also form in the joints of the wrist, hands, feet, ankles or elsewhere. A lump that is round or oval shaped. Most are smaller than an inch across. The size may change overtime, with it getting bigger when you use the nearby joint. Pain. Even a cyst that is too small to see may cause discomfort, numbness, weakness, or a pins-and-needles sensation if it presses on a nerve.
Press on the cyst to see if it is sore. Shine a light through the cyst to see if it is solid or fluid-filled. Aspirate fluid out of the cyst using a needle and syringe. If it is a ganglion cyst, the fluid will be clear.
An x-ray. This test does not hurt, but it is important that you tell your doctor if you are pregnant or think you could be pregnant. An ultrasound. This test is painless and involves using sound waves to form an image of the inside of your body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses magnets and radio waves to create three dimensional images of the cyst. You will lie on a table that moves into the MRI tube. It is loud, but it does not hurt. Tell your doctor ahead of time if you have claustrophobia. [9] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
It presses on a nerve causing you pain. It is so large that it reduces the movement of your joint.
If you use this approach, ask your doctor how long you can wear the brace or splint before your muscles will start to lose their strength. If the cyst is uncomfortable, your doctor may recommend that you take a painkiller, such as Ibuprofen.
The doctor may suggest injecting a steroid into the area to reduce the risk of reoccurrence, but there is no evidence that this successfully reduces reoccurrences. This is an outpatient procedure. You will be released the same day with a Band Aid over the location where the needle went through your skin.
Open surgery — During this procedure, the surgeon makes a cut about 2 inches long over the cyst and removes it. Arthroscopic surgery —This is a type of keyhole surgery. The doctor makes a small incision and inserts a camera and other instruments through the incision. Using the camera as a guide, the surgeon removes the cyst. Both procedures can be done using either local or general anesthesia, depending upon the recommendation of your surgeon. [18] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
You may also take OTC pain medication during a period of observation, during which you will leave the cyst alone and return to the doctor’s office later for periodic observation. This is often done if the ganglion cyst does not appear to be cancerous or the result of any other serious medical issues. [20] X Research source
If you must wear closed-toe shoes, you should tie the laces or straps looser than usual so the cyst does not get irritated when you walk. Avoid wearing shoes with tight zippers and made of non-breathable fabric, like leather or polyester, as this can irritate the cyst.
You should also never try to pop or drain the cyst yourself at home by puncturing it with a needle. This will likely only make the cyst worse and could lead to an infection.
