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Portland Foot and Ankle

(503) 244-7894

Battle Ground Foot and Ankle

(360) 687-3668

Vancouver Foot and Ankle East

(360) 834-3707

Vancouver Foot and Ankle West

(360) 597-4223

Ganglion Cyst

What Is a Ganglion Cyst?
A ganglion cyst is a sac filled with a jellylike fluid that originates from a tendon sheath or joint capsule. The word “ganglion” means “knot” and is used to describe the knot-like mass or lump that forms below the surface of the skin.

 

GanglionGanglion cysts are among the most common benign soft-tissue masses. Although they most often occur on the wrist, they also frequently develop on the foot – usually on the top, but elsewhere as well. Ganglion cysts vary in size, may get smaller and larger, and may even disappear completely, only to return later.

Causes
Although the exact cause of ganglion cysts is unknown, they may arise from trauma – whether a single event or repetitive micro-trauma.

Symptoms
A ganglion cyst is associated with one or more of the following symptoms:

  • A noticeable lump – often this is the only symptom experienced
  • Tingling or burning, if the cyst is touching a nerve
  • Dull pain or ache – which may indicate the cyst is pressing against a tendon or joint
  • Difficulty wearing shoes due to irritation between the lump and the shoe

Diagnosis
To diagnose a ganglion cyst, the foot and ankle surgeon will perform a thorough examination of the foot. The lump will be visually apparent and, when pressed in a certain way, it should move freely underneath the skin. Sometimes the surgeon will shine a light through the cyst or remove a small amount of fluid from the cyst for evaluation. Your doctor may take an x-ray, and in some cases additional imaging studies may be ordered.

Non-Surgical Treatment
There are various options for treating a ganglion cyst on the foot:

  • Monitoring, but no treatment. If the cyst causes no pain and does not interfere with walking, the surgeon may decide it is best to carefully watch the cyst over a period of time.
  • Shoe modifications. Wearing shoes that do not rub the cyst or cause irritation may be advised. In addition, placing a pad inside the shoe may help reduce pressure against the cyst.
  • Aspiration and injection. This technique involves draining the fluid and then injecting a steroid medication into the mass. More than one session may be needed. Although this approach is successful in some cases, in many others the cyst returns.

When is Surgery Needed?
When other treatment options fail or are not appropriate, the cyst may need to be surgically removed. While the recurrence rate associated with surgery is much lower than that experienced with aspiration and injection therapy, there are nevertheless cases in which the ganglion cyst returns.

Our Locations


Vancouver Foot and Ankle West


Vancouver Foot and Ankle East


Battle Ground Foot and Ankle


Portland Foot and Ankle


Hours of Operation

Vancouver Foot And Ankle West

Monday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

Closed

Wednesday:

Closed

Thursday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Vancouver Foot and Ankle East

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

Closed

Wednesday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-12:00pm (Alternating Saturday)

Sunday:

Closed

Battle Ground Foot and Ankle

Monday:

8:00 am-3:00 pm

(Alternating Monday)

Tuesday:

Closed

Wednesday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

Closed

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Portland Foot and Ankle

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

8:00 am-3:00 pm

Wednesday:

Closed

Thursday:

Closed

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

  • "My 3rd and 4th toes on the right foot were so painful to walk for about 5 years or so. Dr Belnap clipped the tendons in the toes and clipped the nails of both feet on follow up appointments, and now I can walk without pain. I wish I had known of this procedure sooner and will surely recommend this office to friends!

    Side note: I know there has been discussion on getting access to all the x-rays from every location. Is that going to be possible in the future? It would be very helpful for surgical planning, as it is always a good idea to have a copy of the x-rays in the operating room for surgical planning purposes. The other solution I could think of is printing off the x-rays on surgical patients and scanning them into their charts as a document, so you can access them from anywhere.

    Thanks for all your help!!"
    Nancy P.
  • "Dr Belnap is very professional. He helped with my foot pain. He corrected my issues and I was pain-free by the first follow up visit!"
    Dennis B.
  • "I came to Dr Hayes from a personal referral. He has done surgery on both of my feet for bunions. It has helped me to live my busy lifestyle. I have highly recommended him to my friends"
    Susan N.