Ganglions are benign tumours surrounding the joints or tendons which affect the hands and feet. These are round or oval in appearance and are filled with a jelly-like fluid. This fluid is similar to the lubricating fluid found in joints or around tendons.
At Marina Plastic Surgery, we have the expertise in successfully removing ganglions from hands, feet and other locations. Give us a call today.
Overview
Ganglions are benign tumours surrounding the joints or tendons which affect the hands and feet. These are round or oval in appearance and are filled with a jelly-like fluid. This fluid is similar to the lubricating fluid found in joints or around tendons.
Ganglions look like small balloons growing out of a stalk from their point of origin. It is fixed in place. It can cause pain, tingling, numbness or muscle weakness if it presses on a nerve.
It is only when a ganglion cyst affects your movement that an advise to remove it will come from your hand surgeon.
Best Candidates
Men and women with good general health and realistic expectations who are as close as possible to their ideal BMI based on age, height and other physical factors who are suffering from ganglions.
What to Expect
An initial consultation will be done to assess what you essentially need for functionality with a secondary assessment done for the aesthetic purpose of the operation.
Your hand surgeon may test the quality of the ganglion by pressing on it to verify how hard or soft it is.
If it is determined to be an active ganglion, immobilisation is then done through the use of a splint or a brace.
The usual method of relief is the aspiration of the fluid within via needle. This effectively drains the cyst and brings it down to a manageable size.
If other options do not work, surgery is another option you can take.
Mild cases of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis are advised to refrain from engaging in activities that could aggravate the situation.
Any of the above-mentioned methods may be used or a combination of two or more to successfully treat your condition.
After Surgery / Recovery
As with all types of surgical procedures, caring for the areas where sutures were made is the highest priority. Following your hand surgery specialist’s instruction for the proper care of affected areas is highly advised.
Minimal pain management can be administered by hospital staff or by the patient. It can be oral or through intravenous methods.
Physical therapy will be introduced gradually for muscle strengthening and fortifying the areas operated on.
A splint may be used in the first few days after the operation to isolate the wrist or affected joint if surgery is done.
To set your expectations, ganglions have a tendency to recur and additional treatment may be required.
Procedure Planner
Initial Meeting
30 mins
Pre-op
15 minutes (for consent and pre med)
Procedure Time
30 to 45 minutes for smaller ganglions, 1 hour for larger ganglions
Recovery Time
up to 8 weeks
Post-op Follow Up
Periodic follow up needed up to 2 months to check progress