A ganglion cyst is sometimes painful, especially when it first occurs. Constantly using your hand or wrist can make the cyst enlarge and hurt more. Some hand and wrist movements, such as grasping things, may also be difficult.

Your wrist and hand are made up of many small bones that meet at joints. Tendons attach muscles to the bones at the joints. The tendons allow the joints to bend and straighten. Both tendons and joints are lined with tissue called synovium. This tissue makes a thick fluid that keeps the joints and tendons moving easily. Sometimes the tissue balloons out from the joint or tendons and forms a cyst. As the cyst fills with fluid and grows, it appears as a lump you can feel.

A ganglion cyst can occur anywhere on the hand near a joint. Cysts most commonly appear on the back or palm side of the wrist, or on the palm at the base of a finger. Your healthcare provider can usually diagnose a cyst by examining the lump. They may draw off a little fluid and order an X-ray to rule out other problems.

Your healthcare provider may just watch your ganglion cyst. Many shrink and become painless without treatment. Some go away altogether. If the cyst is unsightly or painful, or makes it hard for you to use your hand, your healthcare provider can treat it. Or, if needed, it may be removed surgically.

Repeated irritation can weaken the lining of a joint or tendon. This can lead to ganglions. Bony outgrowths (bone spurs) and arthritis may also cause ganglions by irritating the joints and tendons.

Ganglion cysts often form with no symptoms. But the ganglion may put pressure on the nerves and the overlying skin. This can cause tingling, numbness, or pain. Ganglions sometimes swell. Their size can change with different activities or a change in weather.

Ganglion cysts are sometimes mistaken for tumors. So it’s important to have a complete exam done. Tests may be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Your healthcare provider will ask you questions. These include how long you’ve had the ganglion and what kind of symptoms you’re feeling. They may ask if it’s changed in size or if its size varies based on your activities.

Your healthcare provider may do a translumination exam. This involves shining a light through the swelling. You can often see through a ganglion, but not through a tumor. When your foot is pressed (palpated), a ganglion feels spongy and the fluid moves from side to side.

If a bone spur or arthritis is suspected, X-rays may be needed. Fluid removal (needle aspiration) may be done. It also helps to decrease pain. To confirm a ganglion, MRI may be done. This reveals images of soft tissue and bone. Sometimes, special dyes may be injected into the area to show the outline.

Ganglion cysts may be hard to treat without surgery. But nonsurgical methods may be helpful in relieving some of your symptoms.

• Pads placed around the ganglion can ease pressure and friction.

• Fluid removal may also relieve symptoms. This is done with a needle. A steroid may be injected at the same time. But ganglions may come back.

• Limiting movements or activities that increase pain may bring relief.

• Icing the ganglion for 15 to 20 minutes may relieve inflammation and pain for a short time.

• If inflammation is severe, your healthcare provider may treat your symptoms with medicine.

Surgery may be needed if a ganglion is causing ongoing or severe pain. The entire ganglion wall is removed during the procedure. Some nearby tissue may also be removed.

You may feel pain, swelling, numbness, or tingling for several weeks following surgery. You should be able to walk soon afterward. But your foot may need to be wrapped or in a cast, boot, or hard shoe. See your healthcare provider if you notice any future problems. Surgery is often successful. But there is a chance that the ganglion will come back.