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A joint cyst
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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A joint cyst is an acquired pathology that occurs as a result of joint trauma, the development of inflammatory processes or degenerative-dystrophic diseases.
A joint cyst is a spherical formation with liquid contents in its cavity. Joint cysts are benign neoplasms, they are easily palpated, slightly mobile and not fused with nearby tissues.
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Most often, the cyst forms in the ankle, knee and hip joints. It can also affect the elbow, shoulder, wrist and fingers.
According to statistics, knee joint cysts affect women more often than men, approximately twice as often. The hip joints are considered the most vulnerable, as they receive the greatest load during motor activity.
A disease such as a joint cyst can occur without any symptoms or be accompanied by numbness of the surrounding tissues, pain in the affected area, mainly when moving the joint.
The size of such a neoplasm as a joint cyst can reach ten centimeters in diameter. However, cysts can also be small in size and not progress for a long time. With rapid growth, as a rule, surgical intervention is required.
To diagnose a joint cyst, ultrasound, X-ray, and magnetic resonance imaging are used. To analyze the contents of the cyst, it is punctured - pumping out the intracavitary fluid using a special needle.
Treatment of a joint cyst depends on the size of the neoplasm and the severity of the accompanying symptoms. To eliminate the cyst, methods such as cyst puncturing (pumping out its liquid contents), arthroscopic or surgical removal are used.
Ankle cyst
An ankle cyst is relatively rare and is usually a hygroma, initially small in size, filled with fluid and formed from the sheath of tendons and joints. The growth of such a cyst is slow, but the neoplasm can reach five to ten centimeters in size.
When the affected area is loaded, pain is felt. When in a resting position, pain sensations, as a rule, do not occur, but may appear if the cyst has reached a large size.
In cases of trauma to the ankle cyst, it may begin to increase, which will eventually lead to compression of the surrounding vessels and nerve endings. In such a situation, an inflammatory process develops and pain sensations increase significantly. In order to prevent trauma to the ankle cyst and avoid other undesirable consequences, if any neoplasm is detected in this area, do not delay a visit to the doctor.
Reasons
The formation of an ankle cyst can be caused by inflammatory processes occurring in the tendons or joint capsule, such as bursitis or tendovaginitis, which in turn can be asymptomatic. Causes of an ankle cyst can include trauma or frequent overload of the affected joint.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an ankle cyst may include pain and discomfort in this area, as well as the appearance of a small spherical formation. However, its size may subsequently reach quite impressive dimensions, causing quite severe pain and the development of an inflammatory process in nearby tissues.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of ankle cysts is carried out using such examination methods as magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray. To examine the contents of the cyst, its puncturing is carried out. For this, a small amount of fluid contained inside the cyst is pumped out using a syringe.
Treatment
Treatment of ankle cysts can be conservative or surgical. Conservative therapy involves puncturing the cyst - emptying its cavity by pumping out the liquid contents. After the puncture, the necessary medications are introduced into the cleaned cyst cavity, and the affected area is tightly bandaged. An orthopedic fixator is placed on the leg and left in place for seven to eight days. Conservative therapy may also include physiotherapy and paraffin applications. It should be noted that such treatment often results in recurrence of the disease.
During surgical intervention, the cyst is excised. The probability of recurrence is low.
Laser therapy for ankle cysts allows the tumor to be eliminated by heating it without affecting nearby tissues.
The main factors indicating the need to remove the cyst are a rapid increase in the size of the tumor, the development of inflammatory processes accompanied by swelling and severe pain, as well as a clear external defect in the affected area.
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Cyst on finger joint
A finger joint cyst (ganglion) is a tumor-like growth containing a gelatinous substance inside. According to statistics, ganglia account for approximately half of all cases of tumors in the hand area. In most cases, they occur in young women. Such growths may not cause pain, have round shapes and varying sizes, and are often located on the outside of the palm.
Reasons
The causes of a cyst on the finger joint may be trauma to this area, constant stress on the finger joints, and may also be associated with a genetic predisposition.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a finger joint cyst include the appearance of a round, compacted formation in the finger area, measuring from half to one centimeter. Pain usually occurs when moving the fingers, but can also be felt at rest.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of a cyst on a finger joint is based on examination of the affected area and palpation, as well as using X-ray examination.
Treatment
Treatment of a cyst on a finger joint can be done conservatively or by means of surgical intervention. When pumping out the contents of the cyst, cases of its recurrence are not uncommon. When performing surgical intervention, the cyst is completely excised.
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Wrist cyst
A wrist cyst is a benign tumor with fluid inside (hygroma). A tendon sheath cyst is the most common neoplasm in the wrist area. In most cases, a hygroma is a consequence of bursitis or tendovaginitis.
Reasons
Causes of wrist cysts include degenerative-dystrophic joint pathologies, chronic synovial cavity diseases, frequent physical stress on the wrist area, as well as its trauma.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a wrist cyst include the appearance of a compacted, small-sized formation in this area, which at the initial stage may not be accompanied by pain. However, later, as the hygroma develops and grows, pain may occur, both when moving the joint and at rest. In the affected area, there is a decrease in sensitivity, the appearance of the skin changes (swelling or slight swelling appears).
Sometimes the cyst empties, with its contents leaking into the joint cavity or beyond. The cyst may rupture spontaneously or after an injury. If the fluid remains inside the joint, the cyst may subsequently develop again. When the neoplasm ruptures with fluid leaking out, the skin is damaged, which poses a risk of infection.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of a wrist cyst is carried out by examining the affected joint, palpating the neoplasm, and also using X-ray examination methods.
Treatment
Treatment of a wrist cyst is prescribed based on factors such as tumor progression, its size, and also taking into account the causes of the tumor and the general condition of the patient.
In case of small sizes of hygroma, conservative treatment methods can be applied, such as puncturing the cyst and pumping out its contents. Then the patient is prescribed antibacterial drugs, glucocorticoids and physiotherapy procedures. This method of treatment does not give a 100% guarantee that the cyst will not form again.
Complete removal of the wrist cyst is performed surgically, after which a special bandage is applied to the wrist area. For some time after surgery, any loads on the wrist area are excluded.
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