From the Research
Surgical excision is the preferred treatment option for ganglion cysts on the foot, as it has been shown to have a higher success rate and lower recurrence rate compared to other treatments, with a success rate of 92.5% and a recurrence rate of 7.5%. For mild cases, simply monitoring the cyst is recommended as many resolve on their own over time 1. If the cyst causes pain or discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours) or acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours) can help manage symptoms. Wearing comfortable, non-restrictive footwear that doesn't press on the cyst is essential.
Key Considerations
- Aspiration, using a needle to drain the fluid, can be performed for more troublesome cysts, but recurrence is common, with a recurrence rate of 78.1% 2.
- Corticosteroid injection can be applied to reduce inflammation, but it has a higher recurrence rate of 37.5% compared to surgical excision 2.
- Surgical removal (excision) is typically reserved for persistent, painful cysts that don't respond to other treatments, and it carries risks of scarring, infection, and nerve damage.
Treatment Options
- Conservative treatment: monitoring, pain relievers, and comfortable footwear
- Aspiration: using a needle to drain the fluid
- Corticosteroid injection: to reduce inflammation
- Surgical excision: removing the entire cyst along with its stalk under local anesthesia