Do I Have Ganglion Cyst?

Do you have a mass that looks and feels like a smooth lump under the skin?

Do you have a soft lump that changes size but does not move?

Do you have soft lumps, some of which may appear over time, while some appear suddenly?

Do you have a lump that may become smaller or even disappear and come back?

Do you have a lump that interferes with joint movements?

Do you have a visible bump on your foot or ankle that makes you uncomfortable while walking or wearing shoes?

Do you have one large lump or several smaller ones at the same time?

Do you feel pain in the area of bump formation?

Does your pain get worse with joint movement?

Do you have tingling or numbness in the affected area?

Do you have muscle weakness in the affected area?

Do you have a lump at the end joint of the finger, with a longitudinal groove in the nail just above the lump?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have a ganglion cyst. Ganglion cysts are harmless lumps that can be found along the tendons and joints of the wrist, hands, ankles and feet. Ganglion cysts are small, round or oval lumps filled with a thick, jellylike fluid, similar to the one that lubricates the joints. They can range from the size of a pea up to 2.5 centimeters in diameter. Ganglion cysts grow rapidly if they are located on joints that are constantly used. With rest, the cysts usually become smaller. Ganglion cysts are painless lumps, unless they press on nearby nerves.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have a ganglion cyst. Ganglion cysts are the most common lumps that can be found in the hand. They are benign masses that commonly affect the back of the wrist. Ganglion cysts are filled with fluid and are often described as water balloons on stalks. They can appear quickly, change their size, or disappear completely. Ganglion cysts are common in women between the ages of 20 and 40, in people who have wear-and-tear arthritis or have injured joints or tendons in the past. A diagnosis is based on a physical examination and imaging tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have a ganglion cyst. Ganglion cysts are fluid-filled lumps that occur in various locations, but commonly develop on the back of the hand at the wrist joint. They are common among gymnasts, who constantly apply stress to the wrists. Ganglion cyst are often painless and do not require treatment. Your doctor may recommend treatment if the cyst interferes with joint movements or causes pain. Treatment includes immobilization of the area with a brace or splint, drainage of cyst contents (aspiration) and surgery. Large cysts are usually an aesthetic problem so people want to remove them.