Commonly used terms – wrist bumps, wrist lumps, dorsal root ganglion, volar root ganglion, synovial cyst.
Ganglions are fluid or synovial fluid-filled sacs commonly around the hand and wrist. They can also occur elsewhere in the body. In hands and wrists, they are commonly situated either on the dorsum (back) of the wrist or on the volar (front) aspect of the wrist. They can also occur in the fingers. These fluid-filled sacs are not dangerous in any way and in many cases can be present in a very small size and not be detected at all.
If, however, they are painful then they can be removed. Sometimes they are also removed because they become noticeable from a cosmetic point of view.
Ganglion removal from either the front or back of the wrist is usually done under general anaesthetic as a day case.
The risks are small, however, it is important to understand that any surgery involving the hand and wrist will require a period of time when the hand is not at its most functional. Generally it will take 4-6 weeks and sometimes longer before the hand and wrist can be used in a normal capacity. It’s likely that the hand and wrist can be used for light activities much sooner than this, however, if heavy loads or heavy physical exercise is required, this can take longer.
Ganglions may also occur on the fingers and recovery is generally a little faster than the recovery from a wrist ganglion procedure. Finger ganglions can often be removed under local anaesthetic (patient awake).
After your surgery, you will have a bandage on your hand and/or wrist immediately post-operatively. This will be reviewed in the week following the surgery, at which time it is likely that the bandage will be removed and we will check your wound to make sure it is healing satisfactorily. You will be given instructions at that time on how to best mobilise your hand and wrist and, if necessary, a referral to a qualified hand therapist will be made. We are fortunate to have hand therapists based in our rooms and ,if necessary, they will be involved in your post-operative treatment.
Your second visit is likely to be approximately 2 weeks after the surgery, at which time we will once again check your wound for healing and give further instructions on your post-operative management.
* Any surgery or medical procedure carries risks and individual results may vary. Consider seeking a second opinion from a qualified doctor.
If, however, they are painful then they can be removed. Sometimes they are also removed because they become noticeable from a cosmetic point of view.
Ganglion removal from either the front or back of the wrist is usually done under general anaesthetic as a day case.
The risks are small, however, it is important to understand that any surgery involving the hand and wrist will require a period of time when the hand is not at its most functional. Generally it will take 4-6 weeks and sometimes longer before the hand and wrist can be used in a normal capacity. It’s likely that the hand and wrist can be used for light activities much sooner than this, however, if heavy loads or heavy physical exercise is required, this can take longer.
Ganglions may also occur on the fingers and recovery is generally a little faster than the recovery from a wrist ganglion procedure. Finger ganglions can often be removed under local anaesthetic (patient awake).
After your surgery, you will have a bandage on your hand and/or wrist immediately post-operatively. This will be reviewed in the week following the surgery, at which time it is likely that the bandage will be removed and we will check your wound to make sure it is healing satisfactorily. You will be given instructions at that time on how to best mobilise your hand and wrist and, if necessary, a referral to a qualified hand therapist will be made. We are fortunate to have hand therapists based in our rooms and ,if necessary, they will be involved in your post-operative treatment.
Your second visit is likely to be approximately 2 weeks after the surgery, at which time we will once again check your wound for healing and give further instructions on your post-operative management.
* Any surgery or medical procedure carries risks and individual results may vary. Consider seeking a second opinion from a qualified doctor.
