How do I get a Volar Ganglion Cyst fixed?My doctor has already tried a cortisone shot, which worked for awhile

The bump came up suddenly on the inside of my wrist and slowly got bigger, I had my doctor check it out after about a month. He put a shot of cortisone into it. The shot made it flatten out, but after about a month it has started coming back. It aches slightly from time to time and is ugly because it portrudes out. Has anyone else had this problem fixed?

One form of simple treatment is aspiration of the contents, but this is usually only a temporary solution. The ganglion may become less tense and less painful but they almost always come back, sometimes within days or weeks. Injection with steroids usually does not improve the results of aspration alone.

Excision (surgically removing it) is indicated if the ganglion is causing local pressure effects or pain (common on the back of the wrist), or is so big it is unsightly. Recurrence does happen (about 10%), and is usually related underlying pathology. Mucous cyst ganglions are a problem due to the prominence at the finger joint, and may recurrently drain. Tendon sheath ganglions usually hurt when you grip, because they are found just under the skin but overlying the bone.

Here is a link to hear what other patients say about the surgery:
http://www.davidlnelson.md/PatientStatem...

This is not a solicitation! Its just for your FYI. I know how paintful these can be.

I have one on the top of my wrist, and I agree, they are ugly. I have had it since I was a little girl. They gave me shots and drained it, ultimatley, they said i would need to have it cut out. I never did, and while I still have it, it is much smaller than it used to be. You may elect to have it surgically removed. Good luck.

Ganglion cysts are not actually related to ganglia (nerve cells) or cysts (blocked secreting glands). They are actually outpouchings of joint cavities or tendon sheathes that contain lubricating fluids between moving parts.

Ganglion cysts are actually pretty common, and there are no simple treatments. In fact, steroid injections are fairly controversial, and there is little evidence they consistently improve them, your experience notwithstanding.

Drainage is usually not an option, because these spaces are easily infected, and the risk is usually not worth the temporary benefit.

Surgery is probably the most reasonable first step, meaning you probably need not worry about it until it becomes really bothersome or unsightly. Unfortunately, these things can recur even after successful surgery.

The only real things to do now are simply to be reassured it is otherwise harmless, and to consider surgery if it is too bothersome or unsightly.

As always, discuss these and any questions with your doctor.