Ganglion Cyst
What is it?
A ganglion cyst is a soft, gel-like shaped lump that is typically found along joints of the body but most commonly at the wrist. This cyst can change size over time and can sometimes go away on its own.
Ganglion Cyst
What are the symptoms?
Ganglion cysts often appear along the tendons or joints of the wrists or hands, sometimes in the ankles or feet. It is round or oval shaped and may get larger with time due to an increase in movement of the joint. This type of cyst is usually painless, but patients can experience pain due to compression of a nearby nerve or if there is injury to the joint where the cyst originates.
What is the cause?
A ganglion cyst forms when the fluid/gel from within a joint leaks outside of the joint space. The cause of the leakage is unknown. However, it is believed to be caused by injury to a joint or injury to the soft tissue that reinforces a joint. It is more common in women, people with osteoarthritis, or people with previous joint/tendon injury.
How is it treated?
Conservative Management: The cyst can be aspirated (sucked out by a needle) if the cyst is managed earlier, the fluid inside the lump is not too thick, and the location is very superficial (on the surface of the skin).
Surgical Management: Sometimes a surgical excision can also be performed. An incision approximately the size of the cyst is made to remove the whole cyst. The cyst is less likely to regrow if surgery is performed rather than aspiration.
After surgery management
What to expect
- If you experience pain, you may take over-the-counter Tylenol Extra Strength (Acetaminophen) or Advil/Motrin (Ibuprofen) for pain relief. If you are experiencing severe pain, please contact your physician or go to the emergency room.
How to manage your wound after an aspiration
- After your cyst has been aspirated, you can remove the bandage later on in the day
- You can wash your wound with soap and water. There are no limitations or special treatments required for management.
- There are no dietary restrictions.
- If your cyst reoccurs, please book another appointment with your surgeon. You do not need another referral if this is within 2 years of your original consultation.
How to manage your wound after surgery
- Please remove your bandages 48 hours after surgery.
- After 48 hours, please wash your incision(s) with soap and water, unless instructed otherwise.
- Please do NOT submerge your incision(s) in water (e.g., swimming, bathing, washing dishes without gloves) until after your sutures are removed.
- Keep your incision(s) dry, clean, and exposed to air after 2 days to help the healing process. It is not necessary to cover your incision(s) unless you are exposed to an environment with dirt and dust (e.g., construction zones, workshops).
- If preferred, you may apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the incision site.
- You should have a follow-up appointment booked for 10 to 14 days after the surgery. At this appointment, the doctor will remove any remaining sutures that have not been dissolved and review your pathology report.
- Please note that a bit of swelling over the incision is normal. However, watch out for signs of infection such as redness that spreads beyond your incision(s), skin breaking open, and/or pus draining from the incision(s).
- If you experience any of these signs of infection, please call your surgeon to book an appointment as soon as possible or go to the emergency room.
Exercises for recovery
- Please continue to use your hand/wrist/feet as soon as possible to prevent scarring over joints and hypersensitivity.
- Feeling hardness over the incision site after surgery is normal as it is a result of scar tissue development. After your stitches are removed, you should massage the area 3-4 times a day to help heal the skin and help with the sensitivity that develops with non-use. Over time, the hardness should go away.
Please click on the link below to watch a video demonstration from Dr. Hong’s YouTube channel on exercises you should do after your surgery.
