Ganglion cyst

Date Updated: 09/05/2026

Overview

A ganglion cyst is a small, round lump filled with a jellylike fluid. It most often forms near a joint or tendon in the wrist or fingers. Ganglion cysts also can occur in ankles, feet and knees. They are not cancer.

Small ganglion cysts can be pea-sized. They can change size. Ganglion cysts can be painful if they press on a nearby nerve. Sometimes they affect joint movement.

If a ganglion cyst is causing symptoms, a healthcare professional might drain the cyst with a needle or remove it with surgery. But if there are no symptoms, no treatment is necessary. Often, the cysts grow and shrink. Some go away on their own.

Symptoms

Common symptoms and features of a ganglion cyst are the following:

It is a small bump or swelling. Ganglion cysts most often develop along the tendons or joints of wrists or hands. The next most common locations are the ankles and feet. These cysts can grow near other joints too.
The lump may feel firm but movable. Ganglion cysts are usually round or oval. Some are too small to feel.
It may form near the fingernail. Called a mucous cyst, this type of ganglion cyst can cause the skin to become thin. The cyst may leak fluid if it bursts.
Size may change. The size of a cyst can change, often getting larger over time. Some people notice that cysts get larger with activity and smaller with rest.
It is often painless. Ganglion cysts usually do not cause pain. But if a cyst presses on a nerve or other structures, it can cause aching, tingling or weakness.

When to see a doctor

See a healthcare professional if you notice a lump or pain in your wrist, hand, ankle or foot. You can get a diagnosis and find out whether you need treatment.

Causes

No one knows what causes ganglion cysts. They appear to grow from the lining of a joint or tendon. A cyst looks like a tiny water balloon on a stalk. The fluid inside the cyst is similar to typical joint fluid, just thicker, like jelly. Repeated motions may cause ganglion cysts to grow, but most do not come from a single injury.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of ganglion cysts include:

Age and sex. Ganglion cysts can develop in anyone, but they most often happen between the ages of 20 and 40 and are more common in women.
Osteoarthritis. People who have wear-and-tear arthritis in the finger joints closest to the fingernails are at higher risk of having mucous cysts, the type of ganglion cyst that forms near those joints.
Loose ligaments. People who have loose joints have a higher chance of having ganglion cysts.

Diagnosis

Ganglion cysts are often diagnosed based on how they look and feel. During the physical exam, a healthcare professional might press on the cyst to see if it hurts. Shining a light through the cyst, called a transillumination test, might show if the cyst is solid or filled with fluid.

Imaging tests, such as X-ray, ultrasound or MRI, can help confirm the diagnosis as well as rule out other conditions, including arthritis or a tumor.

Fluid drawn from the cyst with a needle might confirm the diagnosis. Fluid from a ganglion cyst is thick and clear.

Treatment

Ganglion cysts are often painless and need no treatment. Your healthcare professional might advise watching the cyst for any changes. If the cyst causes pain or gets in the way of joint movement, you may need to:

Keep the joint from moving. Activity can cause a ganglion cyst to grow. Wearing a brace or splint to keep the joint still for a time might help. As the cyst shrinks, it may release the pressure on nerves, relieving pain. But long-term use of a brace or splint can weaken nearby muscles.
Drain the cyst. Your healthcare professional may drain the cyst with a needle. But the cyst can come back. Your healthcare professional also may inject the joint or tendon sheath with a steroid to calm down inflammation.
Surgery. This may be a choice if other treatments do not work. Surgery involves removing the cyst and the stalk that attaches it to the joint or tendon. Rarely, surgery can injure nearby nerves, blood vessels or tendons. The cyst can still return even though surgery makes it less likely.

Lifestyle and home remedies

What not to do

An old home fix for a ganglion cyst involves hitting the cyst with a heavy object. Do not do this. The force of the blow can damage hands or feet. Also, do not stick a needle in the cyst to try to "pop" it. This can lead to infection.

Preparing for an appointment

You might start by seeing your primary healthcare professional. You may be referred to a hand or foot surgeon.

What you can do

Before your appointment, you might want to write down answers to the following questions:

How long have you had the lump? Does it come and go?
Have you ever injured the joint nearest the lump?
Do you have arthritis?
What medicines and supplements do you take regularly?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional is likely to ask you questions, such as:

Do you have pain or tenderness?
Does the bump keep you from using your joint?
What, if anything, seems to make your symptoms better?
What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?