A dorsal ganglion is a cyst on the back of the wrist filled with clear, gel-like substance that may be painful. It is not cancerous and can go away on its own, but treatments are available. Ganglia form when fluid leaks from a joint capsule or tendon sheaths, usually caused by repetitive movements, joint or tendon injuries, and inflammation. Treatment is usually noninvasive, but a doctor might recommend a splint or draining the ganglion using a needle and syringe.
A dorsal ganglion is a cyst on the back of the wrist. This cyst is filled with a clear, gel-like substance and may be painful or uncomfortable to the touch. The dorsal ganglia are not cancerous and are not tumors. They often go away on their own, but treatments are available to reduce the discomfort caused by a dorsal ganglion.
A ganglion is only called a dorsal ganglion if it is located on the back of the wrist, meaning it is visible when the hand is placed palm-down on a table. The ganglia within the wrist are called the volar ganglia. Ganglion cysts could also form on other parts of the body. The most common sites are the hands, fingers, feet, ankles, knees and shoulders.
Dorsal ganglia and other ganglia form when fluid leaks from a joint capsule or the sheaths that cover tendons. The leaked fluid gets trapped under the skin, causing a visible bump. Doctors aren’t sure what causes these leaks. The condition is often linked to repetitive movements, joint or tendon injuries, and inflammation. Joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis, could also contribute to dorsal ganglia.
The dorsal ganglia often appear seemingly overnight. They look like a small knot-like lump just under the skin on the back of the hand. This lump may feel painful to the touch or become more painful with movement of the wrist. Sometimes there is no pain.
Over the course of days or weeks, the dorsal ganglion may grow. Wrist motion pushes more fluid out of the joint capsule or tendon and into the dorsal ganglion, causing the cyst to grow. The growth could then cause pain as the added fluid puts pressure on the joints and tendons.
A dorsal ganglion can be diagnosed by a doctor, who can usually tell just by looking at the size, shape, and location of a bump whether it is a dorsal ganglion. A diagnostic test is to shine a light near the bump. If light shines through the bump, it’s a ganglion.
Treatment for ganglia is usually simple and noninvasive. Most ganglia go away on their own. If the ganglion causes pain, however, your doctor might recommend a splint to restrict movement and keep the ganglion from growing. A doctor might choose to drain a more serious ganglion using a needle and syringe. Massaging the lump can also cause the ganglion to release fluid.
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