Resolved question:
I've been told that I have a ganglian cyst on the top of my left foot that is next to an artery and nerve. It is very painful and I have not been prescribed any therapy for it (I have Lortab 10 on hand due to a back injury; however I seldom use this medication for my back and would rather limit the use of it for my foot. The doctor I visited (podiatrist) said that he was reluctant to perform surgery because of the location situation. Won't cyst of this nature continue to grow and cause more problems. Shouldn't I seek a very qualified surgeon to have this removed? Who is a very good surgeon close to me (Whitney, TX) who could perform this for me if you believe it should be done?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Orthopedic Surgeon
Hello. I have read your query with diligence. A ganglion are harmless and can be left alone. Occasionally they may interfere with joint function causing pain and, therefore, require treatment as in your case. It is true that the location of the cyst can pose a risk of damage to adjacent artery and nerve during surgical removal. However, a ganglion can also be treated by local aspiration and injection of a crystalline glucocorticoid(steroid) into the cyst cavity. This is quite effective and is curative in 80 % of cases. Alternately, if it recurs, intralesional hyaluronidase injection, followed by fine needle aspiration can also be done. If at all surgery is planned, then you should consult to a qualified and experienced surgeon because the location of the cyst near a neuro-vascular bundle is not a contraindication for surgery. I am sorry about your last request for recommending a surgeon, because I do not know about your area and have no specific recommendations. You can always try a good multispecialty hospital or a hospital attached with a medical school. Hope this was helpful to you. Feel free to ask queries. Best wishes.
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