Patient guide
Ganglion cyst removal: when to leave it and when to treat it
By the SkinOps team · Updated · 2 min read
Based on information from the NHS website. This guide is waiting for review by a clinician and is not medical advice.
A ganglion cyst is a smooth, soft lump filled with fluid. It usually appears on the wrist or hand, close to a joint, although it can also form on the top of the foot.
Many people find one after noticing a lump that was not there before. The reassuring part is that most ganglion cysts need no treatment at all.
Symptoms
- a lump anywhere from smaller than a pea to a few centimetres across
- usually painless, but it can hurt during or after moving the nearby joint
- sometimes numbness or an ache in the area
It is not always clear why they form. Sometimes they appear after an injury makes fluid leak from a joint. They are more common in women than men.
Will it go away on its own?
Often, yes. Many ganglion cysts disappear without treatment, although it can take anywhere from a few months to a year.
In the meantime, you can:
- take ibuprofen or similar painkillers if it is sore
- wear a wrist support if it helps
Do not try to pop it
Leave the lump alone rather than trying to burst it. If it is bothering you, see a GP.
When to see a GP
See a GP if you are worried about a lump, if it is getting bigger, or if it feels hard and does not move. Get an urgent appointment or contact NHS 111 if the lump is very painful, hot or red.
Treatment if it does not go
If the cyst is causing problems, a doctor may suggest:
- draining the fluid with a needle
- a steroid injection
- surgery to remove the cyst
Once a ganglion cyst has been removed it does not usually come back, although it can. Ask the person treating you what recovery will involve for your hand or wrist, and when you can get back to normal activities.