Ganglion Excision Treatment

A ganglion, in a layman term, is a cyst or a swelling filled with thick jelly-like substance. Medically, they are called fluid-filled sacs. Ganglion cysts generally occur at the joints or near the tendons which attach the muscles to the bones. The most common are the ganglion foot and the ganglion wrist, mostly occurring in young adults. Theses cysts form when the natural lubricating fluid leaks out of a joint or a tendon, forming a little sac.

The basic symptom of a ganglion is that the affected area is swelled. Some are large and prominent – smooth and round, while can not even be seen or felt. They may

also shrink and grow and disappear and reappear at a later date. Sometimes, a ganglion may put some pressure on the nerve resulting in discomfort or altered movement.
The main cause of the cysts ganglion is not known as there can be no specific reason of the fluid to leak out from the joint or the tendon. The age group of 20-40 is likely to get these cysts and sometimes they are formed after an injury or putting stress on a joint or a tendon. The diagnosis is usually done by observing and feeling the lump or shining a bright light through it to confirm clear fluid inside the cyst. As some of the ganglions are not visible or even felt, some fluid from the lump is sent for lab test for confirmation and sometimes X-rays or ultrasound or MRI are done.

The treatment of ganglions is done when it becomes severe as ganglions are harmless and non-cancerous. Most of them disappear on their own and no specific treatment is needed and no immediate action is taken over the occurrence of a ganglion. The mode of removal of cyst may be surgical or non-surgical. The non-surgical treatment mode is generally employed when the cyst is painful and affects the land or leg motion. In such a case, the cyst is drained to reduce the swelling, by using a needle and syringe, under local anesthesia. It is known as aspiration. A sticky plaster is put over the needle hole which has to be removed after six hours. Though, with this mode, it is likely that the cyst may recur. If the same treatment has been done twice, operation is the best alternative. One may watch medical videos online for a detailed understanding of the ganglion surgery.

Risks and complications are negligible in such operations. A minor infection can occur which can be healed by intake of antibiotics. 1 out of 5 patients may experience recurrence and the skin around the scar may become permanently numb after the operation. Though it is very rare, the nerves or tendons located near the Ganglion cyst may be damaged during the surgery and physiotherapy sessions might help to fix up the problem.