Ganglion Cyst of the Foot & Ankle

Ganglion Cyst of the Foot & Ankle

Ganglion Cyst of the Foot & Ankle

Ganglion Cyst of the Foot

Ganglion cysts can occur anywhere. They usually occur at the wrist area, however, ganglion cysts may occur at the foot (usually at the top of the foot). This mass can change in size, and it may grow slowly. The patient notices a mass usually on the top of the foot. The mass is usually asymptomatic. The patient may have a burning sensation due to irritation of the nerve when the ganglion compresses the nerve. The patient may have skin irritation and also may have difficulty walking and wearing shoes. If the ganglion is pushing on a nerve and causing irritation, aspiration or surgical removal of the cyst can help relieving the symptoms. We need to differentiate ganglion cyst of the foot from plantar fibromatosis. Plantar fibromatosis occurs at the bottom of the foot. Ganglion cysts usually occur at the top of the foot. Ganglion cysts will transilluminate. Plantar fibromatosis does not transilluminate

Ganglion Cyst of the Ankle (Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome)

What is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a compressive neuropathy which is caused by compression of the tibial nerve around the ankle region. A ganglion cyst can be one of the intrinsic causes of tibial nerve compression. In the tarsal tunnel, the patient may have pain and burning sensation. An MRI is probably needed for the diagnosis of a ganglion cyst in the tarsal tunnel. They found that they best result after surgery occurs when there is a ganglion cyst compressing on the nerve, and this cyst is removed.