West Jordan Ganglions

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Noticing a strange growth on your feet can be frightening, especially when you do not know the cause. That growth you have noticed could be a ganglion. Ganglions can develop on the top of tendons, ligaments, and joints.  In some cases, they can cause pain, but in all cases, they must be appropriately diagnosed. Podiatrist, Elizabeth E. Auger, DPM provides exams in West Jordan so patients can discover if they have developed a ganglion or if they have other foot problems.

Are you Suffering from Ganglions in West Jordan?

Ganglions are fluid-filled cysts. Although ganglions are not cancerous, they can be frightening to see, as you likely will not understand the cause when an unexplained growth develops. The cyst can also cause discomfort, irritate the skin, impact your nerves, and make wearing shoes difficult or impossible.

Ganglion cysts can also affect the wrists and hands, in addition to the feet. These type of cysts are very common, and their cause is not known, although joint irritation could play a role in their formation.

Symptoms of Ganglions

The obvious symptom that alerts patients to a ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled sac or growth. The cyst is a lump or a mass that resembles a knot and is filled with a jellylike fluid. If the ganglion grows too large, it can interfere with your mobility and cause you discomfort.

If the cyst causes problems with the nerves by putting too much pressure on them, you may experience the symptoms of nerve damage including burning, numbness, or tingling.  This is serious and you should talk with a foot doctor right away.

How Does Dr. Auger Treat Ganglions?

After making certain that your growth or lump is just ganglions, Dr. Auger will discuss your options with you for treating the cyst. If the cyst is not causing you discomfort or interfering with your life, observation may be the answer, as the cyst could drain and disappear on its own.  

Conservative treatment options are available, such as aspiration. This involves removal of the fluid within a cyst using a thin needle.  After aspiration, cortisone is injected into the cyst to disintegrate the sac lining.

Unfortunately, sometimes the cyst can return. Surgical removal of the ganglions could become necessary, particularly if the growth returns after aspiration and if you experience pain due to the cyst.

Surgery to remove the cyst is called resection. The ganglion wall is removed during the procedure and the wound is then closed. If the surrounding tissue caused the formation of ganglions, some surrounding tissue may be removed as well.

Contact  Elizabeth E. Auger, DPM Today

Dr. Auger has treated many patients with ganglions in West Jordan. Dr. Auger provides the highest quality of foot care during the diagnostic and treatment processes. Call (801) 509-9959 today to find out more with a same-day appointment.