Surgery to remove it

A cut slightly larger than the ganglion itself is used to remove the cyst along with its connection to the wrist joint. The wrist stiffness and soreness from surgery improve for 6 to 12 months. The redness and thickness in the scar also improve for a year.

Results

All figurines together represent 100 patients. The green figurines represent satisfied patients. The red figurines represent unsatisfied patients.

The ganglion cyst returns in about 10 of 100 people.

10 of 100 people have a minor problem such as a minor wound infection, a very thick scar, or prolonged pain and wrist stiffness.^{1, 2}

Less than 1 of 100 people have a major problem such as a deep infection, a tendon laceration, or wrist ligament injury.^{1, 2}

Advantages:

• Surgery will most likely get rid of the ganglion.

Disadvantages:

• Trade a bump for a scar.
• No guarantee the ganglion cyst stays away.
• Six to 12 months total recovery time.
• Risk of problems such as infection or tendon injury.