Ganglion Cysts in the Finger, Hand or Wrist

What is a ganglion cyst?

Lumps and bumps on the hand, wrist or forearm can cause significant anxiety for patients but are rarely anything too serious. Benign cysts and masses are common in the hand and wrist and often don’t cause significant problems. They can, however, cause pain or limit function. Malignant or cancerous tumors of the hand, wrist or forearm are exceedingly uncommon, but we recommend you have any new lump or bump checked out.

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A look at hand and wrist anatomy

The wrist and hand are made up of small bones, joints, tendons and ligaments that work together to allow smooth, precise motion. Joints and tendons are surrounded by protective tissue that holds lubricating fluid. When this fluid escapes and collects outside the joint or tendon sheath, it can form a ganglion cyst.

Overview

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a ganglion cyst may include:

A visible or palpable lump near the wrist, hand or fingers
A cyst that may change in size over time
Aching, discomfort or pressure, especially with movement
Numbness or tingling if the cyst presses on a nearby nerve
Some ganglion cysts cause no pain and are noticed only because of their appearance.

Causes

The cause of most ganglion cysts is unknown. Occasionally, there is a history of injury to the area. Mucous cysts that occur near the fingernails are usually associated with osteoarthritis of the adjacent joint. Wrist ganglion cysts, on the other hand, often occur in young patients without a history of wrist injury.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on your medical history and physical examination. Your provider may apply pressure to the cyst or shine a light through it to help confirm the diagnosis. Imaging studies such as X-rays or ultrasound may be used to rule out other conditions or evaluate deeper cysts.

Why treatment matters

Treatment options depend on the type and location of the cyst or mass, and whether it is symptomatic.

Nonoperative treatments

If the cyst is not painful, growing or limiting function, we often recommend observation. We can drain some fluid-filled cysts, like wrist ganglion cysts, in the office.

Operative treatments

Surgery may be recommended if the cyst is painful, restricts movement or continues to return despite nonsurgical treatment. During surgery, we remove the cyst and its connection to the joint or tendon. Surgical treatment lowers the risk of recurrence, though it does not eliminate it completely.

Take the next step

Our board-certified specialists are here to help you heal. They can often diagnose the problem in one visit and get you started with a personalized treatment plan. We offer a wide variety of treatment options.