Quite a number of patients visiting a surgical unit end up with a diagnosis of the ganglion. It’s a small and semi-hard bump situated above a muscle tendon or in a capsule that encloses a joint. It is also known as synovial hernia or a synovial cyst. All ganglions are non-cancerous. ganglion

A cyst means a fluid filled cavity. Ganglions are filled with a thick, jelly-like fluid. Ganglions particularly are seen in patients within the age group of 20 to 40 years of age. Mostly they are fond about the hand or wrist thus are very easily noticed and can set the alarm within. They’re much more typical in individuals who use individuals group of muscles more – like in case of wrist or hand ganglions, it will be much more common within handball, squash or tennis players or those bikers who ride their bikes accelerating the throttle constantly. Runners or athletes can get them on the foot muscle tendons, since those are the group of muscles they require to use much more often.

The cause is generally mild sprains or repeated injuries to the tendon causing irritation or tearing off of the thin membrane covering it. Once torn, the vitalizing fluid leaks into the sac that swells up and takes form of the ganglion. They are generally painless but can limit the range of motion at the affected site. Though they might not give rise to any pain, they certainly can produce a discomfort. Ganglions also could be internally developing, thus leading to just some soreness or a dull aching sensation, but not making the mass palpable during the examination. Calcification of the ganglion is very rare.

The diagnosis of ganglion is usually simpler via a physical examination to aid to clinical features. Imaging techniques like ultrasound or x-ray or at times a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) might be needed for the suspected internal ganglions. The fluid within the cyst can be aspirated and evaluated for cytological assessment.

Most of the ganglions will disappear without treatment and on the other hand, many will reappear despite treatment. Surgical excision is needed if the cyst is causing pressure over the adjacent vital structures like nerves or blood vessels.

Homeopathically, I have found remedy ‘ruta’ helping me in almost 90% of the cases. Given in 200th potency in thrice daily regimen can reduce the cyst within few weeks, therefore avoiding the surgical correction. Increasing the muscle strength and flexibility by regular physical exercise is yet an additional way of avoiding the recurrence of the lesion. Warming up or cooling down around the exercise schedule also decrease the rate of developing ganglions.