HOW DO THEY TREAT A LUMP OR CYST ON THE HAND OFTEN ON THE WRIST A GANGLION CYST IS A FLUID FILLED SAC THE GANGLION CAN PRESS ON A NERVE

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How do they treat a lump or cyst on the hand? People often become alarmed when they see a cyst or lump on the hand and the cyst or lump seems to be growing. The cyst seems to develop out of the blue and the cyst on the hand can grow alarmingly. One of the common causes of a lump on the hand is called a ganglion cyst but there are other causes as well so you need to see a doctor. Ganglion cysts are fluid filled sacs that are often at the wrist but sometimes also on the fingers of the hand. Ganglion cysts can appear on the palm side of the hand or the top of the hand. They are more common on the palm side along the wrist.








A ganglion cyst in the hand grows out of a joint. It rises out of the connective tissues between bones and muscles. Inside the ganglion cyst is a fluid similar to the fluid in your joints. Usually, the more active the wrist, the larger the cyst becomes. With rest, the lump generally decreases in size. Sometimes the a cyst can put pressure on a nerve and cause pain or numbness. A cyst may press on the median nerve causing numbness. In carpal tunnel syndrome pressure on the median nerve can cause tingling, pain or numbness.



The diagnosis of a ganglion cyst is based on where the cyst is located and what it looks like. It's important to ask how long you've had the ganglion cyst, whether it's changed in size, and whether it is painful. X-rays may be taken to rule out other conditions, such as arthritis or a bone tumor. Sixty to seventy percent of wrist ganglions are dorsal wrist ganglions. A dorsal wrist ganglion is found on the back of the hand, often centered over the wrist.The wrist may ache or feel tender. The ganglion may also interfere with activities. A ganglion on the top side of the hand may compress the median or ulnar nerve, causing trouble with sensation and movement. The median and ulnar nerves run from your arm into your hand through the wrist. It is usually the median nerve that causes problems in the so called carpal tunnel syndrome.



Usually for a larger ganglion cyst the doctor treats the cyst by putting a needle in it and taking out the cyst contents or else by surgery to remove the cyst. Using a needle to puncture the cyst and take out the fluid is called aspiration of the ganglion cyst. But there is a good chance that even after aspiration the ganglion cyst will come back again. Do not try puncturing or smashing the cyst yourself. One danger would be infection.



Excision, or surgical removal, of the ganglion cyst is another way to deal with it. Removing the cyst is usually effective if the stalk that connects the cyst to the joint capsule and a bit of the surrounding capsule are removed. Usually only a single incision is made, but depending on the location of the ganglion, a second incision may be necessary.



Both of these procedures for ganglion cysts have risks. Even after excision surgery, a ganglion may reappear, though this is uncommon. There is a slight risk of infection with both procedures. Excision can sometimes result in decreased motion, instability, and nerve or blood vessel damage. Removing a ganglion on the top of the hand has a greater risk of nerve and blood vessel damage.