Learn about the symptoms, causes and treatment of ganglion cysts of the foot and ankle.
A ganglion cyst can appear in many places, such as the wrist, ankle or ankle bone. It forms when the cells of the membrane surrounding a joint undergo degenerative change and joint fluid leaks out and collects. The fluid-filled cyst gradually swells until a lump can be felt, and at first it is painless. Over time, it can develop into inflammation with warmth and a tingling pain.
01
A firm lump can be felt around the ankle
02
Discomfort when bending the ankle
03
Rarely, pressure on blood vessels or nerves causes muscle weakness
04
Stiffness after overusing the ankle
Repetitive movement of the ankle joint
Ankle sprains and other injuries
Repeated friction from ill-fitting shoes
Degenerative changes in the joint capsule or its cells
Joint fluid leaking out through a weak spot in the joint capsule
TREATMENT
A ganglion cyst itself is usually not a serious problem and sometimes disappears on its own, so treatment is not always necessary. However, if it is so large that it looks unsightly or the pain makes daily life uncomfortable, surgery is performed.
If the cyst is large or painful, aspiration is performed to draw out the joint fluid inside the cyst with a needle. Because the sac remains, the cyst is likely to come back.
[Aspiration]
A procedure that ruptures the cyst by pressing on it from outside or draws out the fluid with a syringe. However, the recurrence rate is high, at about 50%.
If non-surgical treatment does not work or the pain is severe, the sac and the part of the joint capsule that causes it are removed surgically.
[Ankle Ganglion Cyst Removal]
Surgery that makes a minimal incision over the affected area, reaches the joint capsule and removes the root of the cyst. Removing too much of the joint capsule can make the ankle unstable, so the specialist's role is very important.
