Ganglion Cysts are a type of hand tumor that generally develops on the back of the wrist. These common growths can also be found on the side of the wrist or at the base of a finger or fingernail (mucous cyst).
- Location: Commonly found on the side of the wrist, base of a finger, or near a fingernail (mucous cyst)
- Appearance: Round or oval-shaped, filled with a jelly-like fluid
- Size: Can vary from small pea-sized to larger than an inch in diameter
- Symptoms:
- Often painless; may cause discomfort if pressing on a nerve
- Reduced range of motion in the affected joint
- Visible lump beneath the skin
- Risk Factors:
- Age: More common in individuals between 20 and 40 years old
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop ganglion cysts
- Osteoarthritis: Increased risk for those with wear-and-tear arthritis in the finger joints
- Previous injury: A history of joint or tendon injuries may increase the likelihood of developing a cyst