A ganglion cyst is a cyst formed by damage to some dense tissues on the joint capsule, ligament, or tendon sheath surrounding the tendon, resulting in fluid accumulation in the synovial cavity or local degenerative deformation.

What are the symptoms of ganglion cyst?

Ganglion cysts generally start with a feeling of swelling, especially when doing a certain movement, and gradually a local bulge is found, like a hemisphere, and the swelling is more obvious when pressing it with fingers.

As time goes by (usually three months), this feeling of swelling gradually decreases, and you may even feel local swelling only when doing certain movements. When pressed, it is cystic, and some ganglion cysts will become harder.

What are the dangers of ganglion cysts?

Ganglion cysts mainly make you feel sore and swollen when doing things, and you will feel weak. Sometimes it will affect your work and life.

In addition, cysts that protrude on the back of the hand are not acceptable to those who love beauty in appearance; cysts on the dorsum of the feet will cause discomfort due to friction with shoes; cysts on the outside of the elbow joint and the inside of the knee joint will cause pain and affect activities.

How do ganglion cysts form?

Due to frequent movement, the friction between the tendon sliding and the tendon sheath outside it increases, resulting in excessive synovial fluid. This synovial fluid accumulates, and the tendon sheath protrudes outward, forming a sac. Inside this sac is a concentrated accumulation of synovial fluid. When it becomes jelly-like, a cyst forms, which is what we call a ganglion cyst.

Generally speaking, ganglion cysts tend to occur in these locations:

• Cysts tend to occur in areas with high activity, such as the back of the hands and the back of the feet. These two places are superficial and easy to find and are semi-spherical in shape.
• Due to the dense soft tissue on the palm, ganglion cysts on the palm are generally rice-shaped, deep, and next to the tendon.
• Ganglion cysts can also form along large tendons, such as on the outside of the elbow.

What are the general treatments for ganglion cysts?

Ganglion cysts generally have two types of treatment: conservative treatment and surgical treatment.

• Conservative treatment: There are methods such as squeeze rupture method, suction method, and injection of drugs after suction.
• Surgical treatment: In surgical treatment, cyst removal is a more reliable method. The method is to separate the cyst wall around the pedicle and remove all the cysts.

Are there any dietary requirements for patients with ganglion cysts?

Ganglion cysts have no special dietary requirements and no special contraindications. A balanced diet is enough:

• When cooking, be careful to add less salt, less oil, less seasonings with high salt content, and eat less pickled vegetables, pickled meats, etc.;
• Don’t just eat polished rice and white flour as a staple food. You can replace part of the staple food with whole grains, miscellaneous beans, potatoes, pumpkins, etc.;
• A reasonable mix of meat and vegetables, with white meat such as chicken, duck, and fish preferred, and less fatty meat. Eggs and milk are important sources of protein and other nutrients;
• If you are a vegetarian, you can eat more beans and soy products to supplement protein;
• Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables;
• Quit smoking and try not to drink alcohol.

Are ganglion cysts preventable?

Ganglion cysts are preventable. We know that ganglion cysts are mainly caused by excessive activities. Of course, it is necessary to avoid or reduce certain activities and actions that cause cysts in life as much as possible.