Definition
A ganglion on the wrist is an accumulation of fluid under the skin that has a connection to the joint space. Colloquially, the ganglion is also called an overbone, but an overbone is a technically correct term for a bony structure. The ganglion on the wrist occurs either directly at the joint capsule or at a tendon sheath and is usually caused there by chronic irritation. As a rule, a ganglion is characterized by a painful swelling, and movement restrictions may also occur.
Causes
Tendinitis often occurs on the wrist when working a lot with the hands. Its development is independent of the exertion of force, it is rather a matter of the frequency of the strain. Therefore persons, who work particularly much at the computer are just as affected as for example craftsmen and musicians.
If the tendon sheath inflammation chronifies, repeated irritations occur at the tissue layers of the tendon sheath. These irritations provoke increased fluid formation within the tendon sheath. If there is a weakness in the outer sheath of the tendon sheath, the inner layer protrudes through this gap to the outside, creating a ganglion.
Rheumatism is an inflammatory systemic disease that can affect many joints. On the wrist, for example, rheumatism leads to joint inflammation. These inflammations are based on the fact that the immune system attacks the body’s own cells.
This results in a chronic irritation of the tissue layers of the joint, and the tissue is also weakened by the body’s own immune system. This promotes the development of a ganglion on the wrist. Arthrosis is a mainly degenerative process that can occur in principle in all joints of the body.
Especially people who work a lot with their hands cause a high strain on the wrists. This favors the development of arthrotic changes in the wrist. In the course of arthrosis, the protective joint cartilage is initially reduced, and the bone is thus exposed to increased forces.
As a result, the wrist becomes irritated. These usually increase with every type of load, which is why the irritations often become chronic. These permanent irritations can lead to an overproduction of fluid in the wrist and thus cause a ganglion.
