If you have a lump on your wrist or hand, there’s a good chance that it’s a ganglion cyst. Mushy bumps on feet and knees can also be ganglion cysts, but there are other causes too.
Ganglion cysts are typically harmless and can go away on their own – they usually don’t need to be treated. But if they’re painful, impacting your ability to move or making you self-conscious, there are things that can help.
Read on to learn about home treatments and medical procedures for ganglion cysts.
What is a ganglion cyst? A noncancerous lump on your hand or foot.
Ganglion cysts are fluid-filled lumps that can form on hands, feet and knees. On hands, they’re most common as a lump on the wrist, but can also show up near the fingernails or on the palm. On feet, they’re mostly located near your ankle or toes. They are usually between the size of a pea and the size of a quarter, but they can sometimes be the size of a golf ball, or even larger. They can fluctuate in size, meaning that they may shrink or grow at different times.
Lumps in these locations can also be caused by conditions such as infection, gout, bony spurs, bursitis and tumors (which are very rarely cancerous). Some of these conditions definitely need medical treatment, so talk to your primary care doctor if you notice a new lump and you’re not sure what’s causing it.
Ganglion cyst home treatments to try
The following home treatments can help reduce symptoms caused by ganglion cysts:
Wear a brace or splint
Movement can cause a ganglion cyst to grow. Using a brace or splint to reduce movement can keep a cyst from getting bigger – and may even help it to shrink. If the cyst gets smaller, it may be less painful since it reduces the pressure on the surrounding nerves. But wearing a brace or splint for a long time can cause muscles to weaken, so make sure you talk to a doctor or physical therapist about what’s safe for you.
Use a medication to reduce inflammation
Taking an over-the-counter pain medication is a great option for reducing inflammation and pain – but make sure you follow the instructions and use the lowest dose that’s effective. And keep in mind that long-term, regular use of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) increases the chance that you’ll have side effects like stomach problems or kidney damage. So make sure to talk to a doctor if you’re using them frequently.
Change your footwear (for ganglion cysts on feet)
If you’re bothered by ganglion cysts on your feet or ankles, it can help to wear loose shoes or change how you lace them. Ideally, shoes should not press against the ganglion cyst.
Home treatments for ganglion cysts to avoid
There are also a couple of things not to do when treating your ganglion cyst at home.
Don’t try to pop a ganglion cyst yourself
Doctors often treat ganglion cysts by draining them (more on that below), but it’s very important that you don’t try to drain a ganglion cyst yourself. It probably won’t work. Plus, you may hurt yourself, cause an infection or make it more likely that the ganglion cyst comes back. And if the lump is not a ganglion cyst, you may do even more damage.
Don’t hit the ganglion cyst with a heavy object
A folk remedy for ganglion cysts was to hit the cyst with the heaviest book around – which was often the Bible. This is why ganglion cysts are also known as “Bible bumps” or “Bible cysts.”
The belief was that the force of the impact would make the cyst rupture under the skin and cause the fluid to drain into the surrounding area. But the truth is that a forceful blow against a ganglion cyst is more likely to cause damage than relief. You could hurt your hand, foot or knee. And if the blow breaks the skin, it increases your chance of infection.
How a doctor can help with ganglion cyst treatment
Ganglion cyst medical procedures lessen the symptoms and improve the appearance of the cysts. Procedures your doctor might recommend include the following:
Ganglion cyst drainage
If you’re bothered by a ganglion cyst, your doctor may recommend draining it. During ganglion cyst draining (or aspiration), the doctor numbs the surrounding area and then uses a small needle to puncture the cyst, allowing it to drain.
This reduces the size of the cyst and improves pain and stiffness. Usually, you’ll feel better right away. But it’s important to know that the cyst may come back and may need to be drained again. If a cyst keeps coming back, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Surgery to remove a ganglion cyst
Surgery may be the best treatment if other methods don’t work, and the cyst is causing significant symptoms. During surgery, an orthopedic surgeon removes the cyst and the stalk-like structure that attaches it to the joint or tendon. While removing the cyst can reduce pain and increase range of motion, it’s still possible to get another ganglion cyst in the same location.
If you’re bothered by a lump on your wrist, hand or foot we can help
If you have a lump on your body, it’s best to have your primary care doctor look at it. While ganglion cysts are harmless and don’t usually need treatment, it’s possible that your lump may have another cause and should be treated.
Your doctor can diagnose what’s causing the lump and which treatments will be best. If appropriate, they’ll refer you to another expert, like a hand specialist or a foot specialist, for more advanced care.
