Ganglion cysts

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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

To relieve discomfort around the ganglion cyst area, refrain from activities that seem to worsen the pain.

An old home remedy for a ganglion cyst consisted of "thumping" the cyst with a heavy object. This isn't a good solution because it hurts and can damage surrounding structures in your hand or foot. Also, don't try to "pop" the cyst by puncturing it with a needle or sharp object. This is unlikely to be effective and can lead to infection.

References
  1. Cassidy C, et al. Hand and wrist ganglia. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  2. Soft tissue tumors. In: Townsend CM, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/204083196-3/1008522173/1565/724.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3675-3..50078-2--cesec50_4373. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  3. Topper SM. Wrist arthroscopy. In: DeLee JC, et al. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..00020-8--sc5&uniq=204083196&isbn=978-1-4160-3143-7&sid=1008522613. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  4. Ganglion (cyst) of the wrist. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00006#Treatment. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  5. Ganglia. The Merck Manuals: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec05/ch071/ch071b.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  6. Zuzek RW, et al. Ganglia. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201217051-3/0/2088/253.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00016-2--sc0015_5192. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  7. Amadio PC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 25, 2010.
DS00767 July 1, 2010

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