You might think a ganglion cyst sounds more like a villain in a sci-fi film than a podiatric condition, but these are actually small fluid-filled sacs that develop over a joint or tendon.
Though a ganglion cyst can start as a minor issue, if left untreated it can cause symptoms that significantly affect your quality of life.
At Premier Foot & Ankle, every member of our caring provider team is invested in fixing your foot issues, no matter what they are. We develop customized treatment plans so your foot or ankle pain can become a thing of the past and you can move and fully enjoy life again.
Your feet and ankles are important to everything you do. Often, it’s not until you experience a problem that this reality really hits home. We’re here to help restore your comfort and mobility as quickly as possible.
The joints and tendons (which connect muscle to bone) all over your body, including in your feet and ankles, allow you to move freely and comfortably when everything is working as it should. Your body is even equipped with a synovial membrane filled with a lubricating fluid that surrounds and protects them to support easy movement.
If you get injured, for example, this fluid-filled capsule can develop a hole, allowing the all-important fluid to leak out. This sets you up for the development of a cyst and spells problems for your foot or ankle. A ganglion cyst looks like a small lump and is filled with the jelly-like liquid.
Ganglion cysts can be hard or soft, and they may shrink, grow bigger, or disappear entirely on their own. Unfortunately, even if a ganglion cyst goes away, it can return.
Your Premier Foot & Ankle podiatrist may suspect a ganglion cyst if you come in with these symptoms in an area on your foot or ankle:
Anyone suffering with a ganglion cyst yearns for freedom from pain and discomfort, and you may ask, “What caused my ganglion cyst?”
It’s thought that ganglion cysts originate from joint or tendon trauma, like a sports injury or fall, or in places that have sustained a previous injury. Ganglion cysts are also associated with damage caused by osteoarthritis.
Another cause of ganglion cysts is certain repetitive movements. So, if you engage in sports activities like running or dancing, or you work in a job that requires you to perform repetitive movements, you’re at higher risk for a ganglion cyst.
If your Premier Foot & Ankle provider diagnoses you with a ganglion cyst after imaging tests and a thorough evaluation, they can offer several effective treatments:
As we mentioned earlier, some ganglion cysts are stubborn and keep returning. If this happens or your cyst’s symptoms are particularly severe, your podiatrist will likely recommend a minimally invasive arthroscopic surgical procedure, during which they remove your cyst entirely, including the stalk.
It’s important not to let a ganglion cyst linger and go untreated, since it can become a hardened mass and cause long-term pain.
If you suspect you have a ganglion cyst, contact one of our five convenient Texas locations to schedule an appointment today. Call our office or book online anytime.
