Ganglion Cyst Aspiration and Injection

• Purpose – Relieve pain and alleviate the interference of ganglion cysts with joint movement of the wrists, hands, or feet.
• Overview – Ganglion cysts are non-cancerous, fluid-filled lumps that develop along tendons or joints of the hands or feet from osteoarthritis or frequent injury of the joints or tendons. Ganglion cyst aspiration is the removal of excess fluid in a cyst. A steroid is injected to reduce the potential for return of the cyst.
• Before the procedure – No special preparation is needed for this procedure.
• Details – The procedure begins with application of an anesthetic to the cyst. The cyst is punctured with a needle, then a syringe is used to drain fluid from the base of the cyst. Often, a steroid is injected into the empty cyst in order to reduce inflammation.
• After the procedure – Numbness should only last a few hours until the anesthetic wears off. After the anesthetic wears off, there may be mild discomfort that lasts for a couple of days.  Possible side effects include bruising, swelling, or risk of infection at the site. If the ganglion cyst returns, further treatment with surgical removal is often recommended.