22 Jul What is a Ganglion Cyst?

What Is A Ganglion Cyst?

Have you ever put your shoes on and noticed a strange lump on your foot? This could be a ganglion cyst. A ganglion cyst is a noncancerous lump or swelling that develops on the top of a tendon or a joint. This cyst is made of a jelly-like, clear fluid that forms a knot under the skin. They can vary in size, ranging from pea-sized to about an inch. If you suspect you have a ganglion cyst, you should contact our podiatrist in Douglaston today.

Causes And Symptoms

The cause of a ganglion cyst is unknown. However, the lump or mass on your foot that does not move is very noticeable. This cyst could take the form of swelling near a joint or tendon but this lump is usually painless. If the cyst presses against a nerve, you could feel pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness around the area.

Diagnoses

To properly diagnose a Ganglion Cyst (or any other abnormal conditions of the foot), arrange a visit with our podiatrist in Douglaston, conveniently located nearby. At Great Neck Family Foot Care, we ask that you “let our family take care of yours.” Dr. Alec Hochstein and Dr. Diana Gagliano are both board certified podiatrists and have been offering the highest standard of foot care to Nassau County patients for over 15 years. They will conduct a thorough examination of your foot and specifically of the lump and may choose to remove a small amount of fluid from the cyst to analyze it, and an x-ray may also be ordered which can be taken right in our Great Neck office.

Treatment

In some cases when the cyst is painless, no treatment is necessary. If this is the case though, our podiatrist in Douglaston may suggest that you closely monitor your cyst and schedule regular appointments for check-ins.

If the cyst is painful, there are some treatment options that can be done:

• Aspiration and Injection- This process involves draining the fluid in the cyst with a needle. Then we will inject the drained area with a steroid that acts as an anti-inflammatory treatment
• Footwear Modifications- For increased comfort and decreased levels of pain, you should wear shoes that will not rub against or create pressure on the cyst
• Surgery- If other treatment approaches have not been successful, you may need surgery to remove the cyst

If you think you may have a ganglion cyst, let our team at Great Neck Family Foot Care help. Visit our podiatrist in Douglaston to get started today!