Ganglion - Medtick
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Ganglion

What is it?

Painful lump particularly on the bend of joints.

  • For example on the wrists, it shows up more when bending your hands towards your palms, it can be very painful and restrict movement.
  • Ganglion cysts look and feel like a smooth lump under the skin.
  • They’re made up of a thick, jelly-like fluid called synovial fluid, which surrounds joints and tendons to lubricate and cushion them during movement.
  • It can appear on finger joints and near nail beds.
  • Ganglions can occur alongside any joint in the body, but are most common on the wrist (particularly the back of the wrist), and the hand and fingers.
  • Ganglions are harmless, but can sometimes be painful. If they don’t cause any pain or discomfort, they can be left alone and may disappear without treatment, although this can take a number of years.
  • It’s not clear why ganglions form. They seem to occur when the synovial fluid that surrounds a joint or tendon leaks out and collects in a sac.

NHS Choices

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

  • Carpal boss- a firm, immovable bump on the back of hand and wrist.
  • Inclusion cysts- like ganglion cysts but near the palm of the hand on the wrist
  • Exostosis (bone spur)
  • Bone cancer
  • Tumours

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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