Ganglion Cysts – What is it, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Ganglion Cysts – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments  that many are unaware of. Also, ganglion cysts are non-cancerous lumps that most commonly develop along the tendons or joints  of your wrists or hands. They can also occur in the ankles and feet. Ganglion cysts are typically round or oval and are filled with a gelatinous fluid. Small ganglion cysts can be pea-sized, while larger ones can be about an inch in diameter. Ganglion cysts can be painful if they put pressure on a nearby nerve. Its location can sometimes interfere with joint movement .

If your ganglion cyst is causing you problems, your doctor may suggest trying to drain the cyst with a needle. Surgically removing the cyst is also an option. But if you don’t have symptoms, no treatment is needed. In many cases, the cysts go away on their own.

Causes of Ganglion Cyst:  No one knows exactly what causes a ganglion cyst to develop. It grows out of a joint or the lining of a tendon, looking like a tiny water balloon on a rod, and appears to occur when the tissue that surrounds a joint or a tendon droops out of place. Inside the cyst is a thick lubricating fluid similar to that found in joints or around tendons.

Symptoms of Ganglion Cysts:  The lumps associated with Ganglion Cysts can be characterized by:

• Location. Ganglion cysts usually develop along the tendons or joints of your wrists or hands. The next most common locations are the ankles and feet. These cysts can also occur near other joints .
• Shape and Size. Ganglion cysts  are round or oval and are usually less than 2.5 cm in diameter. Some are so small that they cannot be felt. The size of a cyst can fluctuate, often increasing when you use that joint for repetitive motion.
• Ache. Ganglion Cysts are generally not forgiving. But if a cyst presses on a nerve — even if the cyst is too small to form a visible lump — it can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness.

Risk Factors for Ganglion Cysts:  Factors that can increase your risk  of ganglion cysts include:

• Your sex and age. Ganglion cysts can develop in anyone, but they usually occur in women between the ages of 20 and 40.
• Osteoarthritis. People who use wear and tear arthritis in the finger joints  closest to the nails are at a higher risk of developing ganglion cysts near these joints .
• Joint or tendon injury. Joints  or tendons that have been injured in the past are more likely to develop Ganglion Cysts .

Ganglion Cyst Treatments: Ganglion  cysts areoften painless and do not require treatment. Your doctor may suggest a watch-and-wait approach. If the cyst is causing pain or interfering with joint movement , your doctor may recommend:

• immobilization. As activity can cause the ganglion cyst to become larger, it may help to temporarily immobilize the area with a brace or splint. As the cyst shrinks, it can release pressure on the nerves, relieving pain. Avoid prolonged use of a brace or splint, which can cause nearby muscles to weaken.
• Aspiration. In this procedure, your doctor uses a needle to drain fluid from the cyst. The cyst can recur.
• Surgery. This may be an option if other approaches have not worked. During this procedure, the doctor removes the cyst and the rod that attaches it to the joint or tendon. Rarely, surgery can injure surrounding nerves, blood vessels, or tendons. And the cyst can recur, even after surgery.