Ganglion Cyst and its Treatment
By: Mark MonteiroTotal Views: 207, Word Count: 564,
A ganglion cyst is basically a fluid-filled bump formed under the skin. Most commonly it forms around the wrist, in the shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, ankle, or foot regions. In olden days, ganglion cysts were called Bible bumps because the standard treatment for such bumps involved smashing them with a heavy book, usually Bible.
Appearance of Ganglion cyst
- This appears as one large cyst or many smaller ones
- Multiple small cysts are common within the deeper tissue. This type of cyst is not harmful.
- Ganglion cysts are more common in women. 70% of this cyst occurs in people between the ages 20-40.
- Ganglion cysts commonly occur on the back of the hand
- Ganglion cysts are basically harmless, requiring no treatment. If the ganglion cyst is causing pain and interfering with joint movement, the doctor may suggest one of following treatments.
Immobilization
In this treatment, doctors recommend wearing wrist brace or splint. This helps to immobilize the cyst area. This may help to shrink the cyst too. As the cyst shrinks, it results in release of pressure on the nerves, relieving pain.
Aspiration
In this treatment, the doctor drains the liquid from the cyst. After that, he/she punctures the cyst with a needle and removes the fluid from the base of the cyst with a syringe. After aspiration, 60 percent of ganglion cysts may reappear.
When the cyst comes again, the doctor’s aspiration can be repeated. However, in some cases, the doctor may recommend surgery. Aspiration combined with an injection of cortisone results in more success than aspiration alone.
Surgery
When other treatments are not working, the doctor recommends surgery to remove the ganglion cyst. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. You can go home on the same day after the operation.
Surgery Process
- A local or regional anesthetic is used in numb the area
- The surgeon forms incision in the skin of the ganglion cyst. The size of this incision depends on the size of the cyst formed.
- The surgeon removes the cyst and the other part that attaches it to the joint, along with a small portion of the surrounding tissue if present.
- Stitching of the affected area is carried out as the end step
After surgery, you can change your bandages as directed by the doctor. After the surgery, physical therapy is not needed. But if you have problems with joint stiffness, these therapies may help you to regain strength in the wrist or foot.
Keep in mind that there is no guarantee after this surgery. We can say that although wide varieties of treatments have been developed, there is lack of a fully satisfactory mode of treatment. The risks of this ganglion cyst removal are infections and /or inflammation. There is also a risk of damage to nearby nerves or blood vessels. In all we can say that ganglion cysts are not that dangerous or life threatening. You can use all the above treatments to remove it.
About the Author
Dr. Mark Monteiro is graduated from the Hazard University and done his MBA from the he University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Currently he is working as general physician at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health. For over 15 years he has been a pioneer in the field of physician health. He has contributed to the treatment of many diseases like- ASTHMA, TUBERCULOSIS, HIV, HEPATITIS AND ITS TREATMENT.
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