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What Is a Ganglion Cyst?
A ganglion cyst is a mass of
tissue that is filled with a jellylike
fluid. The word “ganglion”
means “knot” and is used to describe
the knot-like mass or lump of
cells that forms below the surface
of the skin.
Ganglion cysts are among the
most common benign soft-tissue
masses.Although they most often
occur on the wrist, they also
frequently develop on the foot—
usually on the top, but elsewhere
as well. Ganglion cysts vary in
size, may get smaller and larger
over time and may even disappear,
only to possibly return later.
Signs and Symptoms
A ganglion cyst is associated with
one or more of the following signs
and symptoms:
• A noticeable lump—often this is
the only symptom experienced
• Tingling or burning, if the cyst is
touching a nerve
• Dull pain or ache, which may
indicate the cyst is pressing
against a tendon or joint
• Difficulty wearing shoes due to
irritation between the lump and
the shoe
What Causes a Ganglion Cyst?
Ganglion cysts are usually caused by
some type of injury. For example, a
ganglion cyst might develop after
something drops on the foot, if the
foot was twisted while walking, or
after too much stress was placed on
a joint or tendon. For some patients,
the trauma that triggers this condition
is something they do not recall.
Usually the cyst appears soon after
the trauma occurs.
Diagnosis
To diagnose a ganglion cyst, the foot
and ankle surgeon will perform a
thorough examination of the foot.
The lump will be visually apparent
and, when pressed in a certain way,
it should move freely underneath the
skin. Sometimes the surgeon will
shine a light through the cyst or
remove a small amount of fluid from
the cyst for evaluation. Occasionally
other imaging studies may be used.
Treatment
There are various options for treating
a ganglion cyst on the foot:
• Monitoring, but no treatment. If
the cyst causes no pain and does
not interfere with walking, the
surgeon may decide it is best to
carefully watch the cyst over a
period of time.
• Shoe modifications.Wearing
shoes that do not rub the cyst or
cause irritation may be advised.
In addition, placing a pad inside
the shoe may help reduce pressure
against the cyst.
• Aspiration and injection. This
technique involves draining the
fluid and then injecting a steroid
medication into the mass.More
than one session may be needed.
Although this approach is successful
in some cases, in many others the
cyst returns.
• Surgery. When other treatment
options fail or are not appropriate,
the cyst may need to be surgically
removed. While the recurrence rate
associated with surgery is much
lower than that experienced
with aspiration and injection
therapy, there are nevertheless
cases in which the ganglion
cyst returns. ▲
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