Excision of a Ganglion
This webpage will give you information about an excision of
a ganglion. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or
other relevant health professional.
What is a ganglion?
A ganglion is a lump under the skin that contains fluid.
Most ganglions form near the wrist joint (see figure 1).
They are also found on the ankle and foot. The fluid in the
ganglion comes from the joint through a narrow channel.
What are the benefits of surgery?
The lump and any discomfort from it should disappear. Surgery
gives the best chance of stopping the ganglion coming back.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
A ganglion will often disappear on its own after a year or two.
If your ganglion is not causing much trouble, it is best to leave
it alone.
The fluid can be taken out of the ganglion using a needle. This
improves any discomfort for a while. Your doctor may also inject
the ganglion with a steroid (cortisone). These treatments may help
for a short time.
What does the operation involve?
A variety of anaesthetic techniques are possible. The operation
usually takes between a quarter of an hour and half an hour.
Your surgeon will make a cut over the ganglion and separate the
ganglion from the nearby tendons, nerves and blood vessels. They
will then remove the ganglion.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical site ( wound)
- Unsightly scarring
2 Specific complications
- Damage to an artery
- Damage to small nerves near the ganglion
- Continued aching in your wrist
- Severe pain, stiffness and loss of use of the limb (Complex
Regional Pain Syndrome)
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities
as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you should ask a
member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
The joint where the ganglion was can continue to ache but any
joint stiffness should get better fairly quickly.
Some ganglions come back after a few months or years.
Summary
A ganglion is not serious. If it is causing trouble, your
surgeon can remove it.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Stephen Milner DM FRCS (Tr. & Orth.)
Illustrations: Hannah Ravenscroft RM
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2011 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on
this website is produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by
Ramsay Health Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the
information belong exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or
otherwise reproduce any of the information other than for your
personal, non-commercial use.
The information should not replace advice that
your relevant health professional would give you.
Copyright © 2011 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on this website is produced
by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Ramsay Health Care
UK. The intellectual property rights to the information belong
exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any
of the information other than for your personal, non-commercial
use.
The information should not replace advice that your relevant
health professional would give you.