Had an MRI, wrist specialist says I need surgery to remove a ganglion cyst.

Had a wrist injury in May that just wouldn't heal.

Sounds pretty straightforward. Anybody had this done?

had one a few years back. good size one on tendon in left wrist, think peanut M&M size My skin doc did it in office easy, no after affects

I have them on a recurring basis on several of my joints. Bible therapy cures them for awhile and they come back about half the time. The book of Job makes them laugh but wait until I whip out Deuteronomy.

I'm not contemplating surgery but from other people I know who have had it, it's fairly straightforward without being anything other than a minor in-office procedure. You will have a few stitches, the underlying tissue needs to heal but overall it's minor.

Several weeks to heal and you shouldn't have any additional problems.

Had this done in December and it was done in a hospital under full anesthesia. I had pain in the wrist after work outs but the doctor made it clear that this was an optional surgery. Anyway I had full strength back after about 2 months even though the doc said 6 months was about typical for the average person. If I had to do it all over again I would without hesitation.

quote:

Originally posted by SPG:
had one a few years back. good size one on tendon in left wrist, think peanut M&M size My skin doc did it in office easy, no after affects

This one is not superficial. It's inside the wrist, and I can't flex without a good deal of pain. Has to be done under general. I asked if they could drain it, but they said 90% chance of it recurring. 5% of it coming back after surgery.

I just waited a few more months and it just disappeared and went away. Been fine for about 8 years now, no issues. I got lucky.

I have had them twice, both on my right wrist, one growing to about the size of a large olive. They went away on their own and I currently have none. But they didn't cause any discomfort, pain or restriction of movement. Apparently yours does, however, so if you have insurance and the prospects for full recovery and use of your wrist are good, I'd get the surgery done.

There's a guy on YouTube that solved the problem by having a guy whack the big bubble with a big ole atlas.

No really, search for it.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
No really, search for it.

Nope, nope, nope.

I had one on top of my foot years ago and the doc whacked it with a book. That didn't work so he tried to drain it but it wouldn't drain. He wrapped it tightly and the pressure combined with the puncture wound from trying to drain it took care of it within a few days.

Wife had it done, easy peasy. Was done in the doctors office.

Is it normal to do a biopsy on a cyst? My skin doctor seems to want to do one for any procedure.

I had one removed on my hand a few years ago. I couldn't out a glove on in the winter. I first had it drained but a few days later it was large again. The doctor did a biopsy. Surgery Center.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
There's a guy on YouTube that solved the problem by having a guy whack the big bubble with a big ole atlas.

No really, search for it.

That may be the worst medical advice offered here in years. If you're joking, you should perhaps add a smiley face, even in bendablese.

Bible, brick, wood or any other method of crushing a cyst is a dangerous home remedy. Don't do it.

You've gotten some good advice above, don't think that because it's just a "bump" it's not a major deal. I've had friends with varying degrees of these, including one who whacked it. His ultimate remedy was less effective and much later than he would have liked.

With proper radiologic and physician diagnosis you can get an incredibly good picture of what you're dealing with and how best to remedy. But don't put it off.

Think of a cyst like a weed, a very aggressive weed. That bump can't get but so high, but the roots of it will dig in deep and tight, leading real challenges in surgery and recovery. Look at your wrist - there is nowhere good for those 'roots" to go. They wrap tendons, bones, etc. and will mess you up. Get some good consult and follow an aggressive treatment plan.

bendable, really

quote:

I had one on top of my foot years ago and the doc whacked it with a book.

Holy shit, doctor of what? Philosophy?

[quote]Is it normal to do a biopsy on a cyst? My skin doctor seems to want to do one for any procedure.
 
Insurance pays for it and it is generally good practice to get a good look. If it turns out to be cancer the patient usually wants to know.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:


That may be the worst medical advice offered here in years. If you're joking, you should perhaps add a smiley face, even in bendablese.

Bible, brick, wood or any other method of crushing a cyst is a dangerous home remedy. Don't do it.

Holy shit, doctor of what? Philosophy?

Old practice of family practice docs... stays gone about 50% of the time. I have heard a number of docs talk about this. The folks without insurance seem more likely to try this. Good use for those huge old medical textbooks, I suppose !

Had one years ago. Doc said it would probably just come back if drained. Mine was done under anesthesia as it was pretty deep in my wrist. Its never come back.

quote:

Originally posted by mike28w:
Old practice of family practice docs... stays gone about 50% of the time. I have heard a number of docs talk about this.

Don't promote this BS unless you're volunteering for this BS:

#6 will cure it all

Had one removed 0n my right wrist by the Fleet Surgical Team on USS Peleliu in 1995 while on a 6mo deployment. Local anesthesia, cut-dig-sew and I was back to work the next night shift. Never been back since.

quote:

I have heard a number of docs talk about this.

Don't promote this BS unless you're volunteering for this BS:
[/QUOTE]


I stand by my statement. Neither promoting nor discouraging.
One of the docs was an orthopedic surgeon , another was my father, also a couple of others that I have given anesthesia for, over the years ( usually while doing surgical ganglion cystectomies).
What's your problem ? I'm not trying to sign you up.

PS: Your description of a ganglion cyst is really not very accurate.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mike28w,