Ganglion cysts are small, fluid-filled lumps that develop around joints or tendons. They are most often found around the wrist and hand, although they can also occur around the ankle, foot, or other joints. Although finding a lump can understandably be worrying, ganglion cysts are benign and usually harmless.
What Causes a Ganglion Cyst?
Within joints, there is a capsule that holds the fluid that lubricates the joint surfaces. A ganglion forms when the capsule stretches and creates a sac of fluid adjacent to the joint. The exact reason a ganglion cyst forms is not always clear. Sometimes they appear after an injury, while others develop gradually for no apparent reason. Repetitive movements or increased stress through a joint may contribute, particularly in areas like the wrist due to gripping and weight bearing.
Ganglion cysts are most common in adults between the ages of 20 and 50, and they occur more frequently in women than men.
Symptoms of Ganglion Cysts
The most obvious sign is usually a smooth lump near a joint or tendon. The size of a ganglion can change over time, sometimes becoming more noticeable after activity and smaller when the joint is rested.
The character of the pain varies from person to person. Some describe a localised ache or pressure. Some only experience discomfort when the joint is working hard, for example weight bearing or gripping. If a nerve is involved, symptoms might be more neurogenic, with numbness or tingling being the primary complaint. And for some people, it’s not painful, just a bit stiff.
Could It Be Something Else?
Not every lump around a joint is a ganglion cyst, which is why assessment is important.
Other conditions can sometimes look or feel similar, including:
- Arthritis, which can cause bony changes and swelling around joints
- Tendon problems, which may create thickening or irritation around the tendon sheath
- Lipomas, which are harmless fatty lumps under the skin
- Other soft tissue masses, which may require further investigation
Your symptoms, the location of the lump, and how it behaves during movement all help to build a clearer picture. If the signs and symptoms warrant further investigation, Beverley can refer you to where you need to go.
Do Ganglion Cysts Need Treatment?
Many ganglion cysts settle without any intervention. If yours is not painful and does not affect function, monitoring it may be the best approach. If a cyst becomes problematic, your GP may discuss options such as aspiration, where the fluid is removed using a needle. However, because the connection between the cyst and the capsule remains, the cyst can return.
Surgical removal may be considered for persistent symptoms, although this is usually reserved for cases where the ganglion significantly affects comfort or function. The old fashioned advice of hitting a ganglion with a heavy book to “burst” it is no longer recommended. It can damage surrounding tissues without addressing why the cyst formed in the first place.
How Osteopathy Can Help
Osteopathy cannot remove a ganglion cyst itself, but Beverley can help assess the surrounding mechanics and any symptoms that may be contributing to discomfort.
A cyst around the wrist, for example, does not exist in isolation. The way the wrist moves is influenced by the forearm, elbow, shoulder, and even the neck. Reduced movement or increased tension elsewhere may change the forces passing through the joint. Likewise, if you’re changing the way you move due to the cyst, there might be compensatory patterns developing that need correcting.