Ganglion Cysts - Foot

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Introduction

Ganglion cysts are a common condition that can develop on the top or bottom of the foot.  They are not harmful or cancerous, although they may cause discomfort.  Ganglion cysts that are painful or interfere with walking are first treated without surgery, which is reserved for cases that fail these treatments.
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Anatomy

The bones in your feet are connected with ligaments.  Ligaments are firm tissues that provide support and enable you to move your foot.  The ligaments are lined with a synovial membrane.  The synovial membrane secretes a thick synovial fluid that acts as a lubricant and cushion between the foot joints.
 
Ganglion cysts arise from the fluid-filled areas on the ligaments or between the bones.  The cyst is a round sac-like structure filled with synovial fluid.  The fluid is harmless but can become thicker over time, making the cyst feel firm and spongy.  A ganglion cyst can grow large, but it will not spread to other parts of your body.
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Causes

The exact cause of ganglion cysts is unknown.  They tend to develop after an injury or from too much stress on the foot.
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Symptoms

A ganglion cyst appears as a lump underneath the skin. It is common for ganglion cysts to grow large.  They may come and go or disappear completely on their own. 
 
Ganglion cysts may be painless, but they can cause tingling, burning, numbness, aching, or  pain if they are on or near a nerve.  The cyst may interfere with wearing shoes or walking.
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Diagnosis

You should have your physician evaluate a suspected ganglion cyst, but it is not a medical emergency.  Your doctor can diagnose a ganglion cyst by reviewing your medical history, discussing your symptoms, and conducting an examination.  
 
Sometimes foot specialists use needle aspiration to confirm the diagnosis of a ganglion cyst.  This simple procedure involves numbing the area and then using a syringe and needle to draw fluid from the cyst.  The fluid is examined to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any other condition.
 
In some cases, imaging tests, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, are used to gather more information about the cyst and surrounding structures.  Imaging tests are helpful to determine if a cyst is fluid-filled or solid.  The images may also show if an artery or blood vessel is causing the bump.
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Surgery

Outpatient surgery is recommended if the ganglion cyst is painful, causes numbness or tingling, or interferes with walking.  After the area is numbed, the cyst is surgically removed.

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Treatment

Some ganglion cysts may go away without treatment.  Your doctor may monitor your cyst if it does not bother you.  You should wear shoes that do not irritate your cyst.  Shoe pads are often recommended to reduce pressure.
 
Needle aspiration is also used as a treatment for ganglion cysts.  After the fluid is removed from the cyst, it is injected with steroid medication.  Needle aspiration is a fairly successful treatment, although some people may need to have repeated procedures.  Some people may need to participate in physical therapy to mobilize and strengthen the foot. 
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Recovery

Recovery from surgery differs from person to person, depending on the size of the cyst and the extent of the surgery.  Your physician will let you know what to expect.  The majority of cysts do not return; however, in a few cases, cysts return following needle aspiration or surgical treatment. 

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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.