Ganglion cysts of the foot are benign, fluid-filled, soft-tissue masses that attach to tendon sheaths or joint capsules. The fluid tends to be thick, sticky, clear, and jelly-like.
Most ganglion cysts appear on the wrist, but a significant number also occur in the foot, usually the top. The term ganglion means “knot,” which describes these irregular, multi-walled, mobile masses underneath the skin. The most distinguishing feature of ganglions is their location around joints and tendons, although in rare cases they may found in bones or tendons.
The development of ganglion cysts may be rapid, or it may occur over many years. They may shrink, enlarge, or even disappear and reappear. The majority of them disappear within two years. Although not generally painful themselves, ganglion cysts may cause symptoms due to their proximity to other structures. They can be found in any age group, and women are three times more likely than men to suffer from them.
The first symptom will be a lump on the foot, either visual or by feel. The lump is most commonly on the top of the foot, but it can be located near any joint or tendon, and it may vary in size. Other symptoms may include:
Burning sensation (indicating the cyst is pressing against a nerve)
Pain (indicating the cyst is pressing on a nerve, joint, or tendon)
Limitation of motion (the cyst is pressing against a joint or tendon)
Skin irritation above the ganglion
Wearing shoes is painful due to the size of the cyst
While ganglion cysts are often painless and harmless, as with any growth, you should have yours checked by a podiatrist to rule out more serious issues.
The exact cause of ganglion cysts is still unknown. The most prevalent theory involves trauma to the affected area, which may result from a single, direct incident or from chronic overuse. This results in inflammation of the associated connective tissues, which then degenerate or liquefy into “ganglionic jelly.”
The diagnosis may be based on appearance and feel. Sometimes a light shone through the lump can indicate whether the fluid is more liquid or solid, which further helps with the diagnosis. Additional testing may include analysis of the ganglionic fluid, x-rays and/or ultrasound. The x-rays and ultrasound may show damage to surrounding structures (tendons, joints, bones, etc.); furthermore, the ultrasound is often diagnostic for ganglions. Should these tests be inconclusive, an MRI may be ordered.
Treatment of the ganglion is dependent on the symptoms you are experiencing. If you are not in pain and the cyst is small, your doctor may prefer merely to monitor the situation.
The simplest form of treatment is aspiration (or drainage) of the ganglion. A large-gauge needle is introduced to remove the fluid.
If the aspiration technique doesn’t work, surgery may be performed to excise the cyst. Depending on the size and location, this procedure may be done in the office or the hospital. It requires local anesthesia, sutures, bandaging, and possibly splinting, again depending on the size and location of the cyst. Post-operatively, rest and reduction of activities may be required. The benefit of the excision procedure is that it has a significantly higher success rate in preventing recurrence, although complications such as joint stiffness, scar formation, and infection are possible.
Dr. Marc Fink
P.S.Should any mass of the foot appear, you should contact your Podiatrist to have it evaluated.
