Ganglion cysts are lumps that mostly develop along the joints or tendons of your ankles and wrists. They are generally oval or round and are usually full of a flaccid fluid. Large ganglion cysts are usually around 2.5 centimeters in diameter, while smaller ones can be pea-sized. The location of a cyst can sometimes hinder joint motion, and pain is felt when they press on an adjacent nerve.
If a ganglion cyst is irritable, we can suggest different ways to deal with it, including draining the fluid. Or we may recommend that you have a procedure done to remove the lump.
Signs and Symptoms
Ganglion cysts are oval or round in shape and typically measure 2.5 centimeters or less. Some lumps are even so small that a person cannot feel them. The size of the cyst can reduce or increase depending on the usage of a joint in repetitive motion.
Ganglion cysts are not easy to notice since they are usually painless. But even if the cyst is too minute to form a lump, it can cause numbness, pain, muscle weakness, and tingling when it presses on a nearby nerve. Ganglion cysts usually grow along the ankles and feet, and also along the joints of the hands. They can also develop on other joints as well.
Causes and Risk Factors
No one can give a definite reason as to what causes a ganglion cyst to grow. It develops out of a lining of a tendon or a joint, looking like a balloon filled with water hanging on a stalk. A cyst develops when tissues that engulf a tendon or joint move out of their position.
Ganglion cysts can grow in every human being, but they mostly affect women between the ages of 20 and 40. Seemingly, it develops on tendons that have been previously injured.
Treatment of Ganglion Cysts
During a consultation at Plymouth Bay Orthopedic Associates, you can learn about your treatment options. Contact us today to arrange your appointment at our office in Plymouth, Sandwich or Duxbury.