Ganglion cyst symptoms. Ganglion cyst home treatment. When to see your doctor. Ganglion cyst medical treatment. Read this next. Ganglion Cyst Removal. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Ganglion Cysts. Medically reviewed by Emelia Arquilla, DO. Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Medically reviewed by Timothy Gossett, M. Medically reviewed by Stella Bard, MD.
Sprained vs. If a ganglion cyst suddenly ruptures, you may feel surprised, concerned and confused about what to do next. What happens if a ganglion cyst ruptures, and how can you take care of yourself when it does?
This guide will detail what ganglion cysts are, how medical professionals treat them and what to do if a ganglion cyst bursts. A ganglion cyst is a benign sac of tissue that often develops on the hand or wrist, usually attached to a tendon or joint. The cysts contain a viscous fluid that is similar to the lubricating synovial fluid that naturally cushions the joints and tendon sheaths. The cyst may feel like an inflated, slightly mobile water balloon under the surface of your skin.
Ganglion cysts are round or oval, and they vary in size. Larger cysts can grow to be larger than grapes — about an inch or so in diameter — and a few may even become plum-sized. On the wrist, ganglion cysts have different names depending on their locations:. The cysts may increase and decrease in size, becoming larger if you engage in repetitive motions with the affected joint and smaller with less joint use.
A person who does a series of push-ups every day, putting repetitive strain on the wrists, may develop a ganglion cyst that grows larger as the daily repetitions continue. Unlike cancerous lumps, these cysts never spread to other areas of the body. Ganglion cysts are not always painful, but they can be if they sit close to a nerve in the wrist or hand. Ganglion cysts may go away on their own as your body absorbs the fluid over time. If your cyst persists, is painful or makes it hard to accomplish daily tasks or participate in hobbies you enjoy, you may decide to seek medical treatment.
No one is certain why ganglion cysts form. We know they grow out of the linings of joints and tendons and seem to occur when the tissue around a tendon or joint erupts out of place.
They often develop when some of the lubricating fluid that cushions the joints leaks out into the area of tissue just under the skin. We also know they frequently develop in joints with arthritis or as a result of repetitive stress activities. Scientists are not sure about the exact mechanisms of cyst formation or what people could do to prevent ganglion cysts from developing. One theory is that the body responds to injury or overuse by forming the cyst as a sort of internal blister.
Another is that small tears in the joint capsule or tendon membrane allow synovial fluid to seep out and form a cyst. Doctors recognize a few risk factors that can mean a person has a higher likelihood of developing a ganglion cyst:. Should you see a doctor when you develop a ganglion cyst? It depends. Because these cysts often go away on their own, many people choose a wait-and-see approach, especially if the cyst is small and not causing discomfort. In an appointment for a ganglion cyst, the doctor may first perform a few simple tests, such as shining a light on the cyst to determine whether it is solid tissue or a liquid-filled sac.
The physician may also touch the cyst gently to assess the level of discomfort it causes. After these tests, you might have an imaging test like an X-ray, an ultrasound or a magnetic resonance imaging MRI scan. These procedures can help rule out conditions such as arthritis and cancerous tumors. An old home remedy for a ganglion cyst consisted of "thumping" the cyst with a heavy object. This isn't a good solution because the force of the blow can damage surrounding structures in your hand or foot.
Also don't try to "pop" the cyst yourself by puncturing it with a needle. This is unlikely to be effective and can lead to infection. You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor.
He or she may refer you to a hand surgeon. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:. Ganglion cyst care at Mayo Clinic.
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This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis During the physical exam, your doctor may apply pressure to the cyst to test for tenderness or discomfort.
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