Learn about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of ganglion cysts of the hand and wrist.
A ganglion cyst is the most common benign condition of the hand: a cyst filled with yellowish, jelly-like fluid. It usually causes no particular pain, and many people visit the hospital because they can feel a firm lump. Its size changes with pressure in the joint, ranging widely from about 1 to 3 cm. It is common in women in their 20s and 30s and most often appears on the back of the wrist.
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A firm lump can be felt on the wrist
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Discomfort when bending the wrist
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Rarely, weakness from pressure on blood vessels or nerves
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Stiffness after overusing the wrist
Degenerative changes in the joint capsule or cells
Joint fluid leaking out through a weakened gap in the joint capsule
A ganglion cyst is diagnosed based on the location and mobility of the lump and how it feels on palpation. It may also be diagnosed by inserting a needle into the lump and drawing out a sticky, clear, jelly-like fluid. Drawing out the fluid makes the lump disappear, but it grows back within 1–2 days, so this method is not used as a treatment. Because a ganglion cyst may also be caused by other factors, X-rays, ultrasound or MRI may be performed.
TREATMENT
A ganglion cyst by 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 is unsightly or the pain interferes with daily life, surgery is performed.
If the lump is large or painful, aspiration is performed to draw the joint fluid out of the cyst with a needle. Because the sac remains, the cyst is likely to come back.
[Aspiration]
A procedure in which the cyst is ruptured by pressing on it from outside or its fluid is drawn out with a needle. However, the recurrence rate is relatively 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 causing it are removed surgically.
[Wrist Ganglion Cyst Removal]
Through a minimal incision over the lesion, the surgeon reaches the joint capsule and removes the root of the cyst. Removing too much of the joint capsule can make the wrist unstable, so the specialist's skill is very important.
