Swelling caused by a ganglion

The diagnosis of the ganglion on the finger is usually a gaze diagnosis. In the physical examination, the suspected ganglion can usually be diagnosed solely on the basis of the location and form of the swelling. The shifting of the skin above the ganglion serves as a clinical test.

To confirm the diagnosis, the ganglion can be punctured. The fluid is extracted from the ganglion with a syringe, after which it can be examined in the laboratory. The ganglion can also be diagnosed using ultrasound.

In this case, it is important that the bulge is filled with fluid. The stalk that connects the ganglion to the joint is often not visible. In rare cases, an x-ray is taken of the affected finger, this serves to exclude a bony cause of the swelling.

Treatment of a ganglion

Treatment of the ganglion initially consists of immobilising the affected finger. This usually leads to a reduction of the swelling, but it can reappear when the strain on the finger is resumed. If the ganglion reappears, it can be massaged with the hand, pushing the fluid back into the joint.

Manual crushing of the ganglion is also used for therapy. If all these conservative therapy methods are not sufficient, surgical removal of the ganglion must be resorted to. When the ganglion is punctured on the finger, a needle is inserted into the ganglion.

The fluid is then extracted from the ganglion (aspiration). Such a puncture can serve both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Usually both are performed simultaneously, i.e. the complete fluid is aspirated and then examined in the laboratory.

A therapeutic puncture can lead to a complete healing of the ganglion, but in about 50% of the cases a recurrence of the ganglion occurs. A ganglion can be treated with home remedies in addition to sparing the affected finger. Cooling compresses and ointments help to alleviate the pain.

Cooling applications such as cooling packs and cold finger baths are also helpful. Arnica can also be used to relieve pain. Since it is assumed that chronic irritation causes the ganglion, one can also fall back on anti-inflammatory household remedies.

For example, ginger slices can be placed on the ganglion. What else might interest you on this topic:

Arnica
Ginger

Healing clay can be applied to the ganglion in the form of envelopes and pastes. Healing earth is used for the production and mixed with lukewarm water.

If necessary, liquids with essential oils can also be used for mixing. Depending on the manufacturer, the healing earth contains various valuable minerals that strengthen the body’s defenses and thus also support the body’s self-healing powers. In addition, the healing earth is applied to the ganglion as a moist pack, which has an additional cooling effect.

Two homeopathic remedies are mainly used for the ganglion on the finger. On the one hand, the Schüssler salt Calcium fluoratum is used. Due to the minerals it contains, this can strengthen bones and joints in particular, but it also has a positive effect on ganglions. The rue (Ruta graveolens) is used especially against swelling. It can be applied directly to the finger in the form of drops, and tablets or globules can also be taken.