This Is Why Some People Have A Lump On Their Wrist

By Sughra Hafeez in Health and Fitness On 23rd May 2018
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Ganglion cyst

Bumps on our wrists are caused by a more serious condition which is commonly known as a 'ganglion cyst' and are sometimes known as 'hygroma'. Ganglion cysts are noncancerous lumps that most commonly develop along the tendons or joints of your wrists or hands. A regular characteristic of a ganglion is that it would enlarge and then shrink in size.

What causes a Ganglion?

Ganglion may form because trauma causes the tissue of the joint to break down, forming small cysts that then join a larger mass that permits the joint tissue to protrude outwards.

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Ganglion Cyst Symptoms

Swelling (it may alter in size or could fluctuate).

The ganglion cyst usually appears as a lump (mass) that changes size.

The size of a cyst can fluctuate, often getting larger when you use that joint for repetitive motions.

If the pain is present, it is usually chronic and made worse by joint motion.

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Inflammation of tissue

A ganglion cyst could stem from numerous degenerative illnesses and cause inflammation of the soft tissues. Ballooning out of the tissue occurs and it fills with a thick mucoid fluid. Ganglion cysts can be painful if they press on a nearby nerve.

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Needling

Needling is a form of non-surgical treatment. A large gauge needle is placed into the ganglion then aspiration of ganglion fluid is attempted to draw the liquid material. The ganglion is then punctured with the needle several times. If you have the fluid drawn out three times, your possibility of being cured is even higher, particularly with a cyst on the back of the hand. This treatment has a 70% recurrence rate. This is usually the first port of call for treatment as it is a fairly simple procedure

Surgery

surgical removal of the cyst is needed if the mass is painful or causes numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers. Arthroscopic surgery is becoming more common because of the smaller resultant scar and shorter healing times from the smaller incision. There are more complications and recovery needs for surgery so it is a good idea to discuss in detail with your specialist.

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Home remedies

To relieve pain, consider an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve).

Things not to do

An old home remedy for a ganglion cyst consisted of "thumping" to use a heavy book to physically smash the cyst isn't a good solution because it can damage surrounding structures in your hand or foot. Many individuals can be treated by their primary-care doctor; others may need treatment by an orthopedist or hand surgeon.