How do you treat a dorsal wrist ganglion?
Treatment
- Immobilization. Because activity can cause the ganglion cyst to get larger, it may help to temporarily immobilize the area with a brace or splint.
- Aspiration. In this procedure, your doctor uses a needle to drain the fluid from the cyst.
- Surgery. This may be an option if other approaches haven’t worked.
What is an occult ganglion?
Some ganglion cysts are so small that they don’t cause obvious physical swelling, but they still cause pain. They are known as occult ganglions. Your healthcare provider may order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test or an ultrasound to reveal them.
What causes dorsal wrist ganglion?
The cause of ganglion cysts is not known. One theory suggests that trauma causes the tissue of the joint to break down, forming small cysts that then join into a larger, more obvious mass. The most likely theory involves a flaw in the joint capsule or tendon sheath that allows the joint tissue to bulge out.
How long does it take for a ganglion cyst on the wrist to go away?
Most ganglion cysts go away without treatment and some re-appear despite treatment. It may take a long time, up to 12 to 18 months, before it disappears. If it is not causing any pain, the health provider may recommend simply watching and waiting.
What happens if you leave a ganglion cyst untreated?
Ganglion cyst complications If left untreated, complications can occur. The most common complication is infection. If the cyst fills with bacteria, it will become an abscess that could burst inside the body and lead to blood poisoning.
How do you get rid of a ganglion cyst without surgery?
Non-surgical Ganglion Cyst Treatment
- Medication and splinting – If you’re experiencing pain, we may recommend an anti-inflammatory medication and splinting to decrease the pain.
- Aspiration – In some cases, the fluid in the ganglion cyst can be removed through aspiration.
What is dorsal wrist ganglion?
A ganglion cyst of the dorsal wrist is a mass that can develop in various locations on the hand, most commonly on the back or the upper side of the wrist (dorsal wrist). Ganglion cysts are the most common form of growth on the hand. These cysts are most often harmless and are not cancerous masses.
Can stress cause ganglion cysts?
Women are more likely to develop ganglion cysts. Athletes who put repeated stress on their wrists. People between the ages of 20 and 40 are most likely to develop a ganglion cyst. People who have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis are more likely to develop ganglion cysts near the joints affected by osteoarthritis.
What type of doctor removes ganglion cysts?
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.
