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Ganglion cyst removal
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- 97% of orthopaedic patients rate our care ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’
- Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
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GANGLION CYST REMOVAL AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
With HCA UK, you’ll be cared for by one of the UK’s leading orthopaedic teams. Our experienced hand and wrist consultants will use state-of-the-art technology to accurately diagnose your condition and devise a personalised treatment plan for you. You’ll be able to discuss your symptoms and any concerns in full and schedule your treatment in a way that gets you back to enjoying life as soon as possible.
97% of our orthopaedic patients say they’d recommend us. With a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private healthcare group in the UK, it’s easy to see why.
97% of our orthopaedic patients say they’d recommend us. With a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private healthcare group in the UK, it’s easy to see why.
Ganglion cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop under your skin next to joints or tendons in your wrist, hand or fingers. They’re filled with colourless, jelly-like fluid and feel firm to touch.
These cysts are attached to your joint like a balloon on a string, with the 'string' being the 'root' or 'stalk' of the cyst. It’s not clear how they form. One theory is that the normal fluid inside your wrist or finger joints can push out of the lining of the joint to form a swelling.
It’s not clear why they form either. They might be caused by a joint injury or by repetitive stress on the wrist joint, and they might also form because of osteoarthritis. This would explain why it's common for sportspeople like gymnasts, who repeatedly apply stress to their wrist, to experience these cysts.
These cysts are attached to your joint like a balloon on a string, with the 'string' being the 'root' or 'stalk' of the cyst. It’s not clear how they form. One theory is that the normal fluid inside your wrist or finger joints can push out of the lining of the joint to form a swelling.
It’s not clear why they form either. They might be caused by a joint injury or by repetitive stress on the wrist joint, and they might also form because of osteoarthritis. This would explain why it's common for sportspeople like gymnasts, who repeatedly apply stress to their wrist, to experience these cysts.
You might have one large ganglion cyst or several smaller ones – they typically measure anything from a few millimetres to a few centimetres across.
Your consultant will examine your hand and wrist and is likely to recommend one of two methods for treating your condition. The first is to drain the fluid from the cyst with a needle, in a process called aspiration. The second is to remove the cyst surgically.
Here’s how each works in more detail:
- Aspiration: Your consultant will use an ultrasound scanner to guide a needle into your ganglion cyst and siphon the fluid out. The ultrasound images will help them check that all the fluid has been removed. Your consultant might also give you a steroid injection to reduce the chances of your cyst returning.
- Surgery: Your consultant will recommend that you have a surgical treatment, which will remove your ganglion cyst at the root. This is called a ganglion cystectomy or ganglion cyst excision, and they may choose to carry it out as open or keyhole surgery, depending on your specific condition.
However, aspiration or ganglion cystectomy aren't always necessary. Your doctor might recommend simply monitoring your ganglion as they can sometimes go away without any intervention.
If your cyst is causing discomfort, you may also be given anti-inflammatory pain medications and wearing a splint could help you to immobilise the joint and relieve pain. These initial steps might be enough to alleviate your symptoms and potentially even reduce the size of the cyst by themselves.
It depends on how it’s treated. Aspiration is a less invasive treatment which drains the cyst without removing it at the root, but that means there’s a 40-50% chance it will come back.
Surgery is more invasive, but it will remove your ganglion cyst at the root, so it offers a more permanent and assured solution. However, even with surgery, there’s a small chance that it will return.
Surgery is more invasive, but it will remove your ganglion cyst at the root, so it offers a more permanent and assured solution. However, even with surgery, there’s a small chance that it will return.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist hand and wrist consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
THE GANGLION CYST REMOVAL PROCESS
What to expect
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, our specialists can help you get a quick and accurate diagnosis to determine the best treatment pathway for you, so you can get back to doing the things you love. We’ll make sure you receive a fast and accurate diagnosis, effective surgery if you require it, and all the support and care you need.
01
Initial consultation
Your consultant will thoroughly assess your ganglion cyst(s) to help them consider which treatment method is likely to be the least risky and most effective for your individual case.
That may include simply monitoring the cyst to see if it goes away by itself.
That may include simply monitoring the cyst to see if it goes away by itself.
02
Imaging
Your consultant may suggest that you have an ultrasound scan to get a better picture of your cyst(s) and to help them select the right treatment pathway.
03
Treatment
Your consultant may first try to treat your cyst with aspiration, using an ultrasound scanner to guide a needle into your ganglion cyst and siphon the fluid out. This may be followed by a steroid injection to reduce the chances of your cyst returning.
If a previously drained ganglion cyst has returned, your consultant may recommend surgery to remove it - sometimes referred to as a ganglion cystectomy or ganglion cyst excision. They may want to carry out open surgery, which is a quick 15 to 30 minute procedure or an arthroscopy, also known as keyhole surgery. This uses a small camera (an arthroscope) to examine and help remove the cyst. Arthroscopy is less commonly used as a technique for wrist ganglion excision.
Surgery is normally carried out under general anaesthetic although sometimes a local anaesthetic is enough. Your consultant and anaesthetist will advise you about which method will be best for your case.
Where can I get a ganglion cyst removed?
You can access our specialist wrist and hand services at a range of convenient locations across London and at our flagship hospital in Birmingham. From initial consultation through to treatment and next steps, you’ll be treated by some of the country’s most respected experts.
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road Wilmslow SK9 1NY Cheshire
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Ganglion cyst removal FAQ
While anyone can be affected by ganglions, they’re more common in women aged between 20 and 50 and women are three times more likely than men to experience this type of cyst. We don’t know why, but we do know that people are more susceptible if they have osteoarthritis or if their joints have experienced significant wear and tear.
Tendon or joint injuries can cause synovial fluid to leak and form ganglion cysts, which is why they’re more commonly found in people who do sports or other activities that put pressure on their joints.
Tendon or joint injuries can cause synovial fluid to leak and form ganglion cysts, which is why they’re more commonly found in people who do sports or other activities that put pressure on their joints.
Aspiration is the primary choice of treatment for ganglion cyst removal because it’s less invasive, but it carries a 40-50% risk that the cyst will come back.
Open surgery and arthroscopy are more likely to remove cysts permanently, but surgery carries risk of its own, including:
- Scarring, although there is less scarring with arthroscopy
- Significant swelling
- A new ganglion forming – called recurrence. This can sometimes happen, even if the operation is performed well and the cyst is removed at the root
- Pain during the healing process that can last for up to six months
Your consultant will talk you through your specific condition, and the risks associated with any treatment they recommend.
Your recovery period can be anything from two to six weeks and depends on the size and location of your cyst, and how it was treated. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine and that will also depend on the job you do and where the ganglion was. For instance, if you had treatment for a cyst on your hand, you may need two weeks before you can use a keyboard again. You can usually return to driving when you feel ready to do so.
Our patients’ stories
Andy’s story: Keeping his music alive after his thumb surgery
After being diagnosed with arthritis by his doctor, Andy was referred to Mr Mark Phillips, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK.
Marinella’s story: Looking through the keyhole at bunions and foot health
For finance professional, Marinella, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, ongoing pain in her feet and a change in their appearance prompted her to seek answers
Sarah-Jane’s return from knee injury
It was when she slipped on the dancefloor at an office party that 38-year-old Sarah-Jane finally realised something wasn’t right with her knee. A keen skateboarder and tennis player, Sarah-Jane had always led an active lifestyle, but never thought much about injuries.
“Our hands are essential for so many everyday tasks. Using your hands is something you don't fully appreciate until you're in pain or you can't use one. ”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.