Ganglion
A ganglion is a non-cancerous, fluid-filled lump that commonly forms near the joints or tendons of your wrist or hand.
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Think of a ganglion as a small, harmless balloon filled with a clear, jelly-like fluid. These lumps most often appear on the back of the hand or wrist, though they can sometimes pop up near your ankle or foot. They are not tumors or cancer, but rather a collection of fluid that leaks out from the lining of a joint or a tendon sheath, which is the protective tunnel your tendons slide through.
While they can look a bit startling, they are very common and usually quite benign, meaning they won't spread to other parts of your body. Sometimes they appear suddenly, and other times they grow slowly over time. The most important thing to know is that they are generally painless unless they grow large enough to press against a nearby nerve.
Common Symptoms
- A visible, smooth-surfaced bump under the skin.
- A feeling of tenderness or a dull ache in the area when you move your joint.
- Numbness or a tingling sensation if the bump presses on a nerve.
- Weakness in the fingers or hand if the lump interferes with muscle movement.