Ganglion Cysts Flashcards
1
Q
Description
A
- Common lumps within hand and wrist that occur adjacent to joints or tendons
- Typically fluid-filled, can be made of fat instead (lipomas)
- Often resembles a water balloon on a stalk
- Unknown cause: may be joint or tendon irritation, mechanical changes
2
Q
Complications
A
Can become painful, esp. if stalk wraps around nerves and causes compression symptoms
3
Q
Treatment
A
- Observe and wait
- Needle aspiration followed by compression (reoccurrence is common)
- Aspiration and cortisone
- Splinting
- NSAIDs, Cox 2 inhibitor
- Surgery: best results if portion of joint capsule or tendon sheath is removed with cyst
4
Q
Post-op treatment
A
- Depends on surgeon and location of cyst
- AROM starts day 5
- Some form of compression for up to 12 weeks
