Hand Cyst Treatment

The good news is that most ganglion hand cysts are not painful. However they can be painful if they are pressing on a nerve, tendon or ligament. If your ganglion hand cyst is pressing on a nerve, you may experience a tingling or burning feeling. If the cyst is pressing against a tendon or joint, then you are more likely to experience pain or a dull ache.

This pain may be coupled with reduced mobility, depending on the location of the ganglion cyst. Hand cyst removal is the only way to permanently relieve a painful ganglion cyst.

Here at the Cadogan Clinic, there is no waiting list for hand cyst removal and you will be able to get your cyst removed as a day case at our award-winning London clinic. Book a consultation with one of our expert surgeons and find out how quickly we can relieve you of painful ganglion hand cysts.

Most ganglion hand cysts are painless and do not cause any problems. They are noncancerous and, if left long enough, over half of ganglion cysts eventually disappear of their own accord.

However, if a cyst is pressing on a tendon, ligament or nerve, this can cause pain or discomfort. A ganglion cyst may limit the movement in the affected joint. This may impact on your quality of life and your work.

If your ganglion hasn't reduced in size after six months, or it is causing you pain or is causing significant functional difficulty, then you should seek treatment.

Book an appointment with one of our expert surgeons here at the Cadogan Clinic to discuss your treatment options.

There is little you can do to self-treat a ganglion hand cyst at home. Avoiding repetitive movements may ease the discomfort and over-the-counter painkillers should be enough to help relieve any pain associated with your hand ganglion.

Some people with ganglion hand cysts swear by warm compresses to help increase blood circulation and promote fluid drainage. However the use of warm compresses will not prevent ganglion cyst growth.

We strongly advise against the old home remedy of cyst treatment which involves hitting the cyst with a heavy book as this may cause damage to the surrounding bones and tissues. Never try to drain a cyst yourself.  The fluid in the cyst is very thick, sticky and difficult to remove. There is also a high risk of infection if you try to aspirate the cyst at home.

Ganglion hand cyst removal surgery is carried out as a day case, meaning you will be allowed to leave the clinic on the same day as your procedure.

In the days following surgery, you should aim to rest the affected wrist or hand and limit movement to help aid the healing process. You should be OK to perform light, non-repetitive, actions such as writing or carrying light objects. You may need two to four weeks off work, depending on the type of work you do.

You can expect a full recovery somewhere between two and six weeks after surgery, although some post-surgical swelling can persist for two to three months. This swelling can be treated with ice packs while over-the-counter medications can help with pain relief.

More than 50 percent of ganglion cysts disappear on their own without treatment. If the cyst is not causing pain, discomfort or affecting joint movement, some people prefer to leave the ganglion hand cyst to go on its own, rather than undergo any treatment.

However, it may take years for a ganglion cyst to go of its own accord and some cysts do not go away on their own. It is impossible to tell whether a cyst will eventually disappear on its own.

Due to their fluctuating size, if left untreated, a ganglion hand cyst may begin to press down on a nerve, tendon or ligament, causing pain and discomfort. This may affect your movement, impacting on your ability to partake in your hobbies or to do your job. This can have a negative impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing, causing you to feel anxious and depressed.

Ganglion cyst surgery is not painful. A local anaesthetic is injected into the hand, so you will not be able to feel any pain during the procedure itself. Aspiration is also a quick and painless method.

Any pain or discomfort you may feel during your post-surgery recovery should be easily controlled by taking over-the-counter painkillers.

As part of your ganglion hand cyst surgery at the Cadogan Clinic, you will receive comprehensive post-operative aftercare courtesy of our specialist team and 24/7 on-call nurse assistance during the recovery period.

If you have any concerns ahead of your ganglion hand cyst surgery, please speak to your surgeon who will be able to put your mind at rest.

The recovery time for hand cyst removal varies depending on the location of the cyst and the type of treatment you have had to remove it. Draining and surgery are carried out as day cases, so you will be able to leave the clinic on the same day as your treatment.

Recovery time for surgical ganglion hand lump removal can range from two to six weeks.

With regards to time off work, this also depends on the type of job you do. The average required time off work is two weeks, although some people find they need to take as many as four weeks off.

It is very important that you follow all the aftercare advice issued by your surgeon. Failure to do so may impact on your recovery and the final result.