Ganglia is very common, and 95% of people consider it serious. The first thing to remember is that it is not contagious or malignant despite causing discomfort and sometimes pain and should not be a cause for concern. Of course, it needs to be resolved even when nothing serious is.
A ganglion is a round or oval lump filled with a jelly-like fluid. The medical term for it is a synovial cyst. It can occur on the hand or wrist and can appear, disappear, or change in size quickly. It does not cause another disorder in writing, and there are several options to treat this lump.
This FastlyHealarticle explains a ganglion in hand, its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Table of Contents
What is a ganglion in hand?
What they call Ganglion, in medical terms, is a cystic lesion filled with mucin (a kind of mucus) that is going to be related to the tendons and the joints. It is usually attached to the joint capsule, a tendon, or the tendon sheath.
To understand us better, it is a lump filled with synovial fluid. When we speak of synovial fluid, we refer to the thick liquid that allows the mobility of the joints and tendons. This fluid comes from the synovium (the tissue that lines the tendons and joints).
The Ganglion, as such, does not cause damage and usually develops as a single structure in one of the joints of the hand or wrist.
Ganglion in hand: causes
Indeed, the appearance of a ganglion in hand is not due to a specific cause. Its appearance is considered “idiopathic,” that is, unknown.
It has only been indicated that it frequently appears after making a sudden effort that involves the hand or wrist joints, causing this tissue to expand and form a growing cyst. As it fills with fluid, it looks like a lump. It can appear after an injury (some trauma) in other cases.
It has been established that they occur more frequently in women between 20 and 40 years of age. In general, women are more likely to suffer from them than men, especially when they have arthritis. However, not all women with arthritis have ganglia, so it has not been possible to establish a definitive relationship with it.
Symptoms of a ganglion in the hand
The synovial or Ganglion cyst can usually be painful when it first appears or constantly use the hand or wrist. The pressure exerted on a nearby nerve could limit activity and, sometimes, cause a sensation of tingling or numbness.
Apart from this symptomatology, and the lump is seen at the Ganglion site, there are no other associated symptoms.
Ganglion in hand: treatment
Your doctor will discuss your medical history and symptoms. He might ask you how long you have had the cyst on your hand, if it has changed in size and whether it is painful.
At the exam, you will likely apply pressure to identify whether or not it causes tenderness and whether a specific nerve may be involved.
Depending on the place of appearance and its appearance, your doctor will decide the best treatment for you. The most common treatments for Ganglion in the hands are:
Steroids + splint
The placement of corticosteroids and the use of a splint to prevent movement can decrease the mobility of the compromised joint since the activity often causes the Ganglion to enlarge.
Additionally, using the splint may alleviate symptoms and allow the lump to shrink.
Needle aspiration
It is indicated only if the synovial cyst causes much pain or limits daily activities. It is highly recommended even though the cyst cannot be removed from the “root,” which may reappear.
Surgery
A procedure that allows the removal of the Ganglion. Usually, the cyst is removed and part of the affected joint capsule or tendon sheath, which is the root of the ganglion cyst.
The ganglion operation on the hand involves numbing the hand (usually by block-type anesthesia) and then removing all the tissue from the Ganglion to prevent another cyst from forming. Normal activities can generally be resumed 2 to 6 weeks after surgery.
Keep in mind that if your doctor does not observe symptoms, what he might recommend is rest and wait for it to go away on its own. Our recommendation: try not to traumatize the cyst or try to “burst” it on your own since you can cause infection of the cyst and the area around it, which represents a risk.
This article is merely informative; at FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Ganglion in hand: causes and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Bones, joints, and muscles.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.