Ganglion Cyst

Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center

Foot and Ankle Surgeons located in Phoenix, AZ & Maricopa, AZ

While benign, ganglion cysts can present a bit of a nuisance when they form on your feet or ankles, interfering with your footwear and sometimes pressing on a nerve and causing pain. To get rid of your ganglion cyst, trust the team of podiatrists at Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center in Phoenix and Maricopa, Arizona, who can safely remove the growth. If you’re in the Phoenix area, call or schedule an appointment online.

Ganglion Cyst Q & A

What is a ganglion cyst?

A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops along your tendons or joints on your feet and ankles. The cysts are completely benign and can range in size from a small pea to a ping pong ball, but most are less that one inch in diameter.

Ganglion cysts can form on the tops of your feet, which can be highly problematic when it comes to footwear. As well, if your ganglion cyst compresses a nerve, you may feel some pain or tingling in the area.

What causes a ganglion cyst?

Ganglion cysts represent a medical mystery and researchers are unclear as to why they develop. Some believe that they may form after trauma or repeated stresses, but no definitive cause has been found.

How are ganglion cysts diagnosed?

If you’ve developed a ganglion cyst, your doctor at Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center first performs a physical examination, manipulating the cyst to see if it moves freely. We also have state-of-the-art ultrasound visualization in-office which allows us to evaluate the cyst in real time.

If there’s any uncertainty about the diagnosis, Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center is equipped with the latest imaging technology, allowing your doctor to confirm the presence of a ganglion cyst using advanced ultrasound or 3D imaging.

How are ganglion cysts treated?

The answer to this depends largely upon the size and location of your ganglion cyst. In as many as half of all cases, a ganglion cyst goes away on its own. While this wait-and-see approach may work well for cysts on your wrists, the same can’t be said for those on your feet.

If your cyst is interfering with your life, your doctor uses either drainage or injections to eliminate the cyst. In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgical excision as your best course of action.

The good news is that after this treatment, your relief will be immediate. While you’ll have to allow for a little healing time, you’ll be free to resume your normal activities very quickly.

For expert treatment of your ganglion cyst, call Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center or use the easy online booking tool to set up an appointment.

What we offer