[jbrowning2612]

Hey guys! I've got some ganglion cysts that have popped up on the outside of my left ankle and the top of my right foot. Anyone else have these and do ya'll know if they have anything to do with diabetes. My doc said not to worry about them until they start hurting or get really big. Just wanted ya'll thoughts. Thanks!

[jjordie]

Hi JBrowning
I too have ganglions (several) but they are on my forearms and the front of my thighs - have had them for years. It is a bit painful when grandchildren sit on my knee. Like you I have been advised not to worry about them unless they get very painful.

I googled this information -
"Ganglions are harmless and may disappear spontaneously. Therefore most people will not require any specific treatment. If a ganglion is causing pain or affecting normal function, the fluid may be drained and the area injected with a steroid. The procedure is called aspiration with steroid injection. Alternatively, your GP may recommend surgery to remove the ganglion.
If necessary ganglions are usually removed as a day case in hospital."

It doesn't suggest anywhere that diabetes is the cause.

[squidsdc]

I had a ganglion cyst on my wrist that appeared about 30 years ago and was so painful that I couldn't hold a writing utensil. At that time, I was not keen on going in the hospital to have it removed and lose the function of my dominant hand while waiting for it to heal.

By and by, the pain lessened and it went away. I was told that it was a build-up of the fluid that lubricates the joint, and while common in diabetics, it is not exclusive to diabetics, just like trigger fingers. (Which I also suffer from) I hadn't ever heard of anyone having one in the ankle or foot before, but I guess they really can appear anywhere.

[grace girl]

I had one on my wrist about 15 years ago..pre D. The doc told me to just watch it, and it went away on it's own within a year. My mother has had over 10 of them removed from ankles, feet and wrists throughout her lifetime. My doctor told me some people are just more prone to them.

[notme]

I have also had them off and on over the years. I have had two on my wrists that went away on their own. I have one now that is on the top of my right foot. They seem to go away over time, but can be annoying and unsightly. They can do minor surgery on them, but they usually come back. My doctor told me that they use to just whack them with a book to make them go away. OUCH..... now there is some high tech medical advice!

[soremom]

I was actually told, though not by the doctor just ordinary people, to whack it with a Bible to get rid of it.

I just went to the surgeon. Mine was sitting on a nerve in my wrist and was causing numbness and a lot of pain. Since I was using my wrist with typing everyday for 8 hours it was better to get it removed. I was in for a few hours but off for about 2 weeks. The doctor didn't wanting me going back until after I saw him. That was over 7 years ago and so far nothing has come back. He never said if it was or not because of the diabetes but just that they are extremely common.

Kim

[Tiger Lily]

i used to get ganglions when i was a kid

my mother would put my arm on a hard surface (the counter or such) and she would find the biggest book in the house, and smash the ganglion with the book

voila....... fixed....... overnight

good luck!

oh, it has to be a hard cover book, rather than say, the yellow pages which is thick, but not HARD enough

[alicat61]

Hi,
I have a ganglion on the 1st joint of my middle finger. My GP aspirated it but it keeps coming back. I have a referal to a surgeon but put seeing him off as I hoped it would go away.
Its more enoying than anything as I bump it and it gets painful.
I was pleased to read what everyone had written. It might still just go away (I hope)