What Causes a Ganglion Cyst on Your Foot and Ankle?

Ganglion cysts are not dangerous, but the discovery of a lump on your foot and ankle can be alarming, and these cysts can be painful as well. They can also impact your ability to move comfortably if they are pressing against a tendon or joint. Call Premier Podiatry and get expert guidance if you notice any new or unfamiliar bump on your foot and ankle to determine if it is a ganglion cyst or something else. Velimir Petkov has the tools and technology to provide accurate diagnosis and offers comprehensive foot and ankle care as you need it. He develops a personalized treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms, lifestyle, and goals to help you return to full function and mobility as soon as possible.

The word ganglion means knot and is used to describe the knot-like mass or lump that forms below the surface of the skin. Ganglion cysts are one of the most common soft tissue lumps that occur along the tendons or joints on your foot and ankles. Ganglion cysts are typically round or oval and are filled with a jellylike fluid. These cysts can cause pain and affect your functioning.

Read on to know what is causing ganglion cysts in your foot and ankle and what to do if you develop one.

What Is a Ganglion Cyst?

A ganglion cyst is a round, fluid-filled lump of soft tissue that appears along tendons or joints. It usually occurs on the wrist or hand, but can also appear on the ankle or foot. These irritating growths can have different causes and occur when the ligaments and joints secrete fluid.

You can get a ganglion cyst on the top or bottom of your foot, and these cysts can vary in size from small to large. They can be as small as a pea or as large as a golf ball and can also be soft or firm. Some cysts are visible underneath the skin, while others are so small that you can’t see them, but they can be painful and impact your ability to make routine movements.

Ganglion cysts are non-cancerous and do not pose any danger, but they can be painful if they press on a nearby nerve. Sometimes they affect joint movement. Early treatment can prevent the cyst from worsening and reduce the need for foot surgery in the future.

Causes of Ganglion Cysts

There are no known causes of ganglion cysts.

Healthcare experts believe you may get a ganglion cyst on your ankle or foot due to the following:

• Some injury or trauma to your foot or ankle
• Repetitive stress on the foot and ankle area
• Irritation to the nearby joints or tendons

People in their 20s to 40s are more likely to have a ganglion cyst. Women are also more likely to get ganglion cysts than men.

Ganglion Cyst Symptoms

A soft, unmovable lump at the top or bottom of your foot or ankle is typically the first sign of the cyst. Many of the symptoms of a ganglion cyst are similar to other soft tissue masses.

Other symptoms include:

• Aching or throbbing pain, which indicates the presence of a cyst
• A tingling or burning sensation, which is a sign your cyst is pushing on a nerve
• Irritation to the lump when you wear shoes

Cysts may get bigger over time, or suddenly reduce in size or disappear completely, only to reappear again. If you have any symptoms or your cyst is turning painful, you may require foot injury treatment or surgical lintervention. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to find the best solution for treating ganglion cyst.

Treating a Ganglion Cyst

Ganglion cysts are often painless and need no treatment. If the cyst is not causing pain or complications, it is not a matter of concern. Most patients just want confirmation that the mass growing on their ankle or foot is benign, and if there are no symptoms, no treatment is necessary. Often the cysts grow and shrink, and some go away on their own.

If the cyst turns painful or gets in the way of joint movement, there are conservative as well as surgical treatment options to address it:

• Keep the joint from moving – Activity can make a ganglion cyst grow. Wearing a brace or splint to keep the joint still for some time may help. As the cyst shrinks, it may release the pressure on the nerves, alleviating pain. Long-term use of a brace or splint is not recommended as it can weaken nearby muscles.
• Drain the cyst – Your doctor may drain the cyst if it is becoming troublesome. A small amount of local anesthetic is injected into the superficial skin layer to numb it. A small needle is punctured through the cyst a few times to drain the fluid. This procedure only takes a few minutes.
• Surgery – When other approaches do not work, or your ganglion cyst makes it hard to move around, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the cyst. Surgery involves removing the cyst as well as the stalk that attaches it to the joint or tendon. The surgeon carefully removes the origin of the stalk and removes the entire cyst from this point. Surgery is an outpatient procedure, and you can walk out of the hospital the same day.

Ganglion cysts are rarely serious, but it is better to have any unusual lump on your foot analyzed by your healthcare provider. The doctor can conduct a thorough examination to find out its causes and recommend the best way to address it. He may also ask you to watch the cyst for any changes.

If you suspect a ganglion cyst or some kind of soft tissue mass on your foot or ankle, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. Dr. Velimir Petkov is an experienced podiatrist and understands how awkward an unusual growth in your foot or ankle can look and feel. He thoroughly analyzes your cyst, find solutions that address its causes, and prevent it from coming back. He also recommends the right type of footwear that does not irritate your cyst and ensures normal movement and activity.