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If you have a lump under the skin on your wrist, it is possible that you have a ganglion cyst. Of course, you will need to see your doctor to get a proper diagnosis since it could be something else.

A ganglion cyst, also called a mucous cyst or synovial cyst, is a lump that grows on the covering of a tendon or a joint capsule. It can be hard or soft, painful or non-painful and can change from bigger to smaller on its own. It is filled with a thick jelly-like fluid, giving it a balloon like appearance. In addition to the wrist, ganglion cysts can also be found on the finger, foot, ankle and the back of the knee.

It is not know what causes ganglion cysts but it does appear that certain people are more prone to them than others. Women between the ages of 20 and 50 are the people most likely to have ganglion cysts. Those who bump, injure or overuse their wrist, fingers or ankle a lot are also more likely to get them.

To diagnosis a ganglion cyst, the doctor will examine the lump and ask some question that will aid in determining if further tests are needed. After determining that the lump may indeed be a ganglion cyst, an ultrasound or x-rays may be ordered. These tests will allow a look inside the lump to see what kind of interior it has.

Once it is diagnosed as a ganglion cyst, the doctor will decide on what treatment should be used. Sometimes there is no treatment, as these cysts will often go away on their own in time. Treatments prescribed can be any of the following:

Wait and Watch: Some cysts will go away on their own, so this may be the first option tried. While waiting, resist any urge to poke or press it. This will not help it go away and could hurt you.

Splint: Resting the joint and limiting its movement can help the cyst decrease in size.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication: These medications are in the NSAID family and will ease the pian, in any, and help reduce the swelling.

Needle aspiration: A needle is inserted into the cyst to draw out the fluid. A local anaesthetic may be used to keep the procedure from being painful. Steroids may be injected to decrease the redness and swelling.

Surgery: If other treatments have not helped and your cyst is painful and/or limiting joint movement, surgery may be done. The cyst will be removed and some of the tissue it was attached to may also be removed. After surgery, a splint may be necessary to immobilized the joint to allow proper healing.

You do need to be aware that a ganglion cyst may come back regardless of what type of treatment is used to get rid of it.

Geoff Sweeney
(BPE, Grad Dip Ed)
Suffered from a ganglion cyst for 20 years and just had it removed
his story can be seen at
http://geoffreysweeney.com/2006/08/09/wrist-ganglion-removed