What is a Ganglion?
A ganglion is a cyst filled with clear jelly-like material,
related to a joint or tendon sheath. The commonest position
for a ganglion is over the back of the wrist, but ganglia are also
found on the front of the wrist close to the radial pulse, in the
palm close to the base of the finger arising from the tendon
sheath, and over the back of the finger at the end joint, where
pressure often causes a groove to form in the nail.
It is not fully understood why a ganglion develops, but it is
thought to start with a degenerative process or injury in the
capsule or ligaments around the joint, or the fibrous sheath around
a tendon. Usually a ganglion forms a smooth prominent lump which
may fluctuate in size or even disappear completely, though it may
come back again. Some ganglia are painful, especially small ones
deep inside the wrist joint, which are difficult to feel.
It is possible to empty the contents with a needle, but the
material is viscous and complete emptying is impossible, and the
majority refill anyway. It can be a useful temporary measure and
occasionally obviates the need for surgery.
What does this involve?
Ganglion removal is usually done under local anaesthetic as a
day case patient and takes up to 30 minutes. Your surgeon
will make a cut over the ganglion and separate it from the nearby
tendons, nerves and blood vessels before removal. At the end of the
procedure your skin will be closed with stitches.
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