A ganglion cyst on the wrist, also known as synovial cyst, Bible cyst or Bible bump is a swollen lump filled with a fluid called synovial fluid near a joint or tendon. It can be pea-sized or up to one inch in diameter. It is round or oval in shape and could be soft or hard, depending upon the size of the cyst. Generally, there is no pain associated with a ganglion cyst unless it is pressing a nerve, in which case, there may be numbness, tingling sensation or muscle weakness.
Potential harm due to a ganglion cyst
Ganglion cysts on the wrist are not cancerous and usually, a ganglion cyst is harmless.
Causes
It is not known as to what exactly causes a ganglion cyst. It grows like a small balloon out of a joint or the lining of a tendon.
Ganglion Cysts on the Wrist Risk factors
Women between 20 and 40 years of age, osteoarthritis patients with wear-and-tear arthritis in the finger joints and people who have injured their joints or tendons in the past are considered more at risk of developing a ganglion cyst. The most common location for a ganglion cyst on the wrist is on the dorsal side(back of hand).
Ganglion cyst on the wrist
A ganglion cyst can develop at many locations such as the wrists, hands, ankles and feet. However, the most common location for a ganglion cyst to develop is the back of the wrist.
A ganglion cyst on the wrist with synovial fluid may appear quickly and can also disappear just as suddenly. It may also change its size and may also not require any treatment. But some ganglion cysts do require non-surgical or even surgical intervention. This is particularly required when the cyst in painful or it interferes with normal functioning or has an unacceptable appearance.
A ganglion cyst which develops on the top or underside of the wrist may grow larger with wrist activity. If the wrist is given rest, the lump generally grows smaller in size.