Ganglion – causes, symptoms, treatment. Homemade ways to make ganglion

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A ganglion is a gelatinous cyst that forms around a joint, most commonly around the wrist. There is fluid inside the lump. If left untreated, the disease leads to muscle inertia and limitation of joint mobility. Ganglion is a condition that, despite treatment, likes to recover.

Ganglion – what is it?

A ganglion is a lump that is most common on the wrist, but also elsewhere in the body. Inside the ganglion there is a jelly-like fluid in the tendons and joint capsules, but it can also become active around the feet. Fortunately, this ailment does not develop into a cancer (even after a longer duration), but you should always consult a doctor because disregarding this condition often leads to complications in the form of: muscle paresis and reduced mobility of the joints.

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The ganglion can be of any size (from a pea to a walnut). It is soft at first, but begins to harden over time. This is due to the cyst fluid stagnation.

Ganglion is a condition that affects more women than men, especially between the ages of XNUMX and XNUMX. It occurs when the production of fluid in the joints surrounding the wrist is excessive, and as a consequence, a bulge in the form of a cyst is formed. The size of the tumor never penetrates the skin. In addition, it should be added that ganglion usually appears in people who put a lot of strain on their joints, especially the wrist, when e.g. lifting objects or making repetitive movements. People particularly exposed to the occurrence of ganglion are, for example, rowers, drivers, tennis players or people who work at the computer.

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Where does ganglion come from?

The genesis of ganglion formation is not fully known. However, as mentioned above, ganglion is associated with an excessive production of fluid in the joints, caused by:

1. overloads,
2. injuries,
3. tendinitis of the wrist muscles,
4. inflammation of articular bags.

What happens when we have a ganglion?

Ganglion is usually a lump that we feel under the skin and has a colorless liquid inside. Cysts are hard but can be moved under the skin. Ganglion rarely appears on the foot, knee or toe, and the lump grows in size under the influence of some exertion (it decreases when at rest). The ailment of ganglion may also be accompanied by symptoms in the form of:

1. high sensitivity to touch at the site of the lump;
2. pain when moving your wrist (even slight pain);
3. severely limited hand movements;
4. inflammatory reactions;
5. neurological disorders (the cyst sometimes presses on the small kidneys in the area of ​​the wrist), hence the sensory disturbance in the wrist area. In rare cases, muscle paresis occurs.

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Ganglion and his recognition

Ganglion can be diagnosed on the basis of observation alone, but doctors who have doubts about the diagnosis order the following tests:

1. Ultrasound,
2. Magnetic resonance imaging (allows to distinguish Ganglion from other diseases, e.g. neuroma, arthritis or scaphoid necrosis);
3. X-ray of the hand.

How to heal a ganglion?

Ganglion is a condition that can go away on its own. However, in some cases, the cyst grows and gives unpleasant symptoms. Doctors in the fight against ganglion use various methods:

1. aspiration procedure: this method consists in puncturing the cyst by a doctor and sucking out the liquid inside;
2. treatment with corticosteroids.

Sometimes, at the beginning of the disease, it is enough to limit the movements of the diseased hand and put on a special splint or stabilizer, as the resting tumor may disappear by itself. Unfortunately, in many cases, ganglion renews itselfTherefore, in the case of a constant recurrence of this ailment, doctors often consider surgical removal of the lesion. However, keep in mind that this is not XNUMX% certain that the problem will go away forever! This procedure may have some complications, for example:

1. infection
2. hand swelling
3. scars,
4. hematomas,
5. damage to nerves and tendons,
6. limited mobility,
7. joint stiffness
8. recurrence of symptoms.

After excision of the lump, patients are recommended rehabilitation, which consists in relieving the hand and avoiding activities performed with the hand. It is also recommended physical therapy during which patients undergo ultrasound, laser therapy, massages and exercises.

Kinesiotaping – this is one of the methods of rehabilitation in which special tapes are placed on the diseased tendons and the wrist area to reduce pain and relieve the joints, which in turn makes regeneration faster.

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Ganglion prophylaxis

To minimize the chances of ganglion occurrence, please perform appropriate stretching exercises, pay attention to regular breaks while working at the computer and spend time actively when we are free. When it comes to playing sports, it is very important to perform a thorough and comprehensive warm-up, especially if there is a high chance of straining the joints of the knee, hand or foot.

In addition, it should be added that training should not be strenuous, especially when we only return to exercising after a long break. You should also pay attention to devote enough time to all muscle groups, so that the tension in areas that are exposed to ganglion formation is reduced.

In addition, thanks to this, our attitude will also improve. Finally, it is also worth mentioning that if the joint is subject to too much stress, the amount of exercise should be reduced or the nature or duration of work should be changed.

Home remedies for ganglions

Sometimes people struggling with ganglion and all types of skin ailments try to treat them with home methods. However, it is recommended that you seek the help of a professionalBecause despite the fact that the use of ointments, preparations or methods such as black tea or ginger compresses may bring temporary relief, professional diagnosis is very important to avoid other ailments. In addition, it should be added that treating ganglion with home remedies may only be effective for a while, and the ganglion itself often returns.

However, if you want to use home remedies for ganglion, it is worth remembering over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) or ibuprofen (Advil), which can relieve pain. Regular use of warm compresses can increase blood circulation and promote fluid drainage. However, warm compresses will not prevent the development of a cyst.

If ganglion appears on your feet, consider wearing loose shoes or modifying the lacing method. Ideally, the shoe should not touch the cyst.

Do not hit the ganglion with a heavy object. The old folk method for ganglion involved hitting the cyst with a heavy object, such as a book. Not only can this treatment damage the areas near the cyst, it can also lead to infection and recurrence of the ganglion.

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Ganglion in children

Although it happens that ganglion appears in the elderly, it can also happen to quite young people. If we notice that ganglion has appeared in our child, we should consult a doctor as soon as possible. As for the treatment and diagnosis of ganglions in children, it is the same as for adults.

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