What kind of doctor treats ganglion cysts

But some occur in the ankles or feet. When a ganglion cyst presses on a nerve it can be painful. And depending on its location, a ganglion cyst may restrict movement.

Some cysts do not need treatment, but others must be surgically removed. During a ganglion cyst removal, a doctor removes the cyst capsule or stalk to completely remove the cyst.

Even with surgery, a ganglion cyst may reoccur. If your doctor decides that surgery is the best option, follow their specific instructions to prepare for surgery. Your doctor will likely refer you to a specialist in hand, wrist, and elbow surgery, who will perform the surgery. Ganglion cyst removal is usually an outpatient procedure and may be performed under local or general anesthesia.

Before surgery, your doctor may draw a line above the cyst to mark the incision location. During the surgery, your doctor numbs the treatment area and cuts along the line with a scalpel. The doctor then identifies the cyst and cuts it out along with its capsule or stalk. Once the cyst is removed, your doctor stitches the opening to let the skin heal. Surgery is usually seen as a last resort for ganglion cyst treatment.

Before deciding to remove a ganglion cyst, your doctor will discuss other treatment options. One surgery alternative is having the cyst drained. This occurs through a process called aspiration. In this procedure, your doctor punctures the cyst with a needle and drains fluids, causing the cyst to shrink. This can relieve the pain caused by the cyst pressing on the nerves in your wrist and hand. Your doctor may also prescribe a wrist brace to prevent movement around the cyst.

Movement can cause the cyst to expand and cause more pain and discomfort. By limiting movement, a brace can allow the cyst to shrink, which minimizes the pain that the cyst causes by pressing on surrounding nerves. If you have ganglion cysts on your feet or ankles, wearing looser shoes or tying your shoelaces less tightly may minimize your pain. Some drugs, advertised as FDA-certified, are sold that claim to dissolve ganglion cysts using capsules taken by mouth.

These drugs are not FDA-approved, so talk to your doctor before attempting to use these products. Do not try to puncture a cyst yourself with a needle or other sharp objects. This increases the risk of recurrence and can also cause infections. A common misconception about cysts is that hitting them with a large object will make them pop or shrink and go away. The risk of recurrence is much higher when this method is used, and you can injure yourself or cause infections around the site of the cyst.

As they often develop in areas where a joint or tendon naturally bulges out of place, ganglion cysts are most commonly located on the back of the wrist or on the front of the wrist by the thumb at the base.

Sometimes ganglion cysts do not produce symptoms. In most people, they will come and go depending on your level of activity: they can increase in size when you are active and decrease in size when you rest. Other times they can cause pain or discomfort.

They can also cause numbness and tingling when they push on some of your small sensory nerves. If you have a growth on your hand or wrist, please contact the Penn Integrated Hand Program for an evaluation.

Access myPennMedicine For Patients and Visitors. An old home remedy for a ganglion cyst consisted of "thumping" the cyst with a heavy object. This isn't a good solution because the force of the blow can damage surrounding structures in your hand or foot.

Also don't try to "pop" the cyst yourself by puncturing it with a needle. This is unlikely to be effective and can lead to infection. You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor.

He or she may refer you to a hand surgeon. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:. Ganglion cyst care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis During the physical exam, your doctor may apply pressure to the cyst to test for tenderness or discomfort.