Concerned About a Ganglion Cyst in Your Hand?

Receive personalised assessment and treatment from Dr Muntasir Mannan Choudhury at Alpha Joints and Orthopaedics.

Meet Our Experienced Hand Surgeon

Dr Muntasir Mannan Choudhury is a hand surgeon specialising in wrist pain and treatment. He is one of the foremost surgeons specialising in wrist arthroscopy in Singapore with multiple research papers and surgical innovations to his name. His dedication to patient care and extensive experience enables him to provide effective and lasting relief from various hand and wrist conditions.

Dr Choudhury was the former Consultant and Service Lead of Hand, Wrist, and Microsurgery Services at Sengkang General Hospital. In this role, he played a pivotal part in establishing and enhancing the hospital’s hand and wrist surgical services. His special interests include minimally invasive surgery for conditions such as arthroscopic management of wrist ligaments, bone injuries, arthritis, ganglions, and hand and wrist trauma.

Dr Choudhury’s academic background includes completing his International Baccalaureate at the prestigious United World College of the Atlantic in South Wales, UK, and graduating from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India, in 2004. He earned his MRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow in 2010, completed advanced specialist training in Hand Surgery at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), and became a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine in Singapore in 2016. In 2020, he pursued a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Hand and Wrist Surgery under the renowned Dr Jeff Ecker at the Jeff Ecker Clinic in Perth, Australia. He has conducted one of the highest numbers of successful wrist arthroscopies in the restructured hospitals, introducing several arthroscopy techniques and innovations in Singapore. An active researcher, he has numerous publications and has pioneered several arthroscopic techniques for wrist surgery, holding one of the highest numbers of scientific papers in wrist arthroscopy in Singapore.

Dr Choudhury’s commitment to patient care has earned him multiple accolades, including SingHealth Service Awards, Singapore Health Quality Service Awards, and the ‘You Sparkle’ Award. He is also recognised as a Covid Hero, mentioned by Minister Tan See Leng in parliament. Outside of his professional work, Dr Choudhury is the founder and a team leader of the Wandering Dervishes Initiative, which provides linguistic-based support and free consultations to migrant workers in their native languages. The initiative has provided health consultations and screening for over 1,500 migrant workers.

Ganglion Cyst Explained. What Is It And Why Does It Happen?

Ganglion cysts are common, benign lumps that usually appear on the hand or wrist. They are fluid filled swellings located just beneath the skin, often forming near a joint or tendon sheath.

These cysts are filled with a thick, jelly like fluid that comes from nearby joints or the covering of the tendons. They form when joint fluid leaks into surrounding tissue, creating a small sac under the skin. The size of a ganglion cyst can change over time, and some may disappear on their own. While many are painless, some can cause discomfort, especially when they press on nearby nerves or are located at pressure points

The exact cause of ganglion cysts is not fully understood, but they may be linked to several factors, including:

Repeated movements or ongoing minor strain that place stress on the joint.
Small defects in the joint, such as tiny ligament tears or weakness in the joint capsule or tendon sheath.
Injury or trauma that causes joint tissue to break down, allowing small cysts to form and merge into a larger lump.
Wear and tear

These cysts are often non-cancerous and are among the most common lumps found in the hand and wrist.

Who’s At risk of ganglion cysts?

Certain factors may increase the likelihood of developing ganglion cysts, including:

Osteoarthritis
Finger joint arthritis is commonly associated with ganglion cysts near the fingertips.
Previous injury
Past injuries to the wrist or fingers, including sports related injuries or accidents, can increase the risk of cyst formation due to inflammation and tissue healing responses.
Age and sex
Ganglion cysts occur more frequently in women, particularly between the ages of 20 and 40.( please check on this stats from the paper I am attaching)
Chronic inflammatory conditions
Ongoing joint inflammation, such as arthritis, may contribute to cyst development as part of the body’s inflammatory response.

Signs To Look Out For

Visible lump under the skin

A smooth, round or oval swelling that can vary in size and may become more noticeable with activity.

Pain or discomfort

Often painless, but discomfort may occur if the cyst presses on nearby structures or is located in a pressure area.

Limited joint movement

Cysts near a joint may restrict movement, especially as they increase in size.

Numbness or tingling

Pressure on nearby nerves can cause a pins and needles sensation or reduced feeling.

Changes in size

The cyst may grow, shrink, or even disappear over time.

When should I see a doctor for ganglion cysts? And how is it diagnosed?

It is important to a specialist doctor if the cyst is painful, limits movement, grows quickly, changes in appearance, causes numbness or weakness, or does not improve over time.

A ganglion cyst is typically diagnosed through a clinical examination by a doctor. During this assessment, the doctor may apply gentle pressure to the lump to check for tenderness or discomfort and may shine a light through it to determine whether it is fluid filled or a solid mass.

If further evaluation is required, the doctor may require:

Imaging Tests
X rays, ultrasound, or MRI scans may be used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions such as arthritis or tumours.

Treatment options

If the cyst is painless and does not affect daily activities, no treatment may be needed.

Your doctor may advise reducing repetitive hand or wrist movements, using a wrist brace, or changing footwear if the cyst is on the foot or ankle.

Aspiration is not a favoured form of treatment as it will most likely fail

If the cyst is painful, keeps recurring, or other treatments fail, surgery may be recommended. This involves removing the cyst and its stalk, there is still a chance of recurrence even after successful surgery. This can be done as an open surgery or as a minimally invasive surgery using 2 to 3 small holes and a telescope. Our specialist specialises in key hole surgery for such cysts.

Why Choose Alpha Joints & Orthopaedics?

Our Partnering Insurers

We are included in the specialist panels of these Insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prevent ganglion cysts from occurring?

Ganglion cysts cannot be completely prevented, as their exact cause is unknown. However, the risk may be reduced by:

Limiting repetitive strain – Avoid repeated or prolonged joint movements, especially involving the wrists and hands.
Using protective support – Wear braces or padding during activities that place stress on the joints.
Maintaining good posture and joint alignment – Proper positioning can help reduce unnecessary stress on joints during daily tasks.
Taking regular breaks – Resting between activities that involve frequent joint use can help prevent overuse.

Are ganglion cysts cancerous?

Ganglion cysts are almost always benign and not cancerous. They are fluid filled sacs that usually develop from nearby joints or tendons.

Can I pop a ganglion cyst at home?

You should not try to pop or drain a ganglion cyst on your own, as this can cause infection, injury, or make the problem worse. If drainage is needed, it should be done by a healthcare professional in a sterile setting to ensure safety and appropriate treatment.

Are ganglion cysts hard?

Yes. Although ganglion cysts are fluid filled, they can feel firm or hard in some cases. In other instances, they may feel soft to the touch, depending on the individual.

Insurance Panel

Hospitals Accredited

Gleneagles
Mount Elizabeth
Parkway East
Parkway Shenton
Mt Alvernia
Farrer Park Hospital

Day Surgery Centre Accredited

Aptus

Discover Effective Solutions for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis