Mucous Cysts of the Fingers

Treatments

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Key words: hand, finger cyst, finger ganglion, flexor tendon ganglion, finger osteoarthritis, finger arthritis, Heberden’s Nodes, Bouchard’s Nodes, Mucous cyst, finger stiffness, finger pain, finger deformity, metacarpalphylangeal joint, distal interphylangeal joint, proximal interphylangeal joint, hand surgery, hand arthritis

Mucous Cysts of the Fingers

A mucous cyst of the finger may commonly be confused with a Heberden’s node or a tendon sheath ganglion. Heberdend’s nodes occur on the dorsal or back of the finger to the sides of the distal interphylangeal joint (Heberden’s Node) or the proximal interphylangeal joint (Bouchard’s Node). The mucous cyst may overly a degenerative distal interphylangeal joint and a Heberden’s node and so the picture may be confused with both a mucous cyst overlying a Heberden’s node. Tendon sheath ganglion usually occur along the flexor tendon sheath on the palmar or front of the finger more proximally in the finger or in the palm. Ganglia are usually a little softer than a Heberden’s node, are usually not associated with surrounding inflammation and may be painless.

Investigation of a Mucous cyst should include a trans-illumination test, clinical examination of the finger joints for stiffness or signs of arthritis and an X-Ray.

Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medication. Needle aspiration in a sterile setting. A steroid injection may be considered or surgical excision under a local anaesthetic. If surgical removal is considered then the underlying Heberden’s node may also be removed at the same time. Surgery may sometimes result in a little residual stiffness of the finger joint (17%), an infection of the wound or underlying joint (2%), a small deformity of the nail (7%) or a recurrence of the deformity (3%).

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of Orthopaedic Opinion Online or the author. The information is provided for general background reading only and should not be relied upon for treatment. Advice should always be taken from a registered medical practitioner for individual circumstances and for treatment of any patient in any circumstances. No liability is accepted by Orthopaedic Opinion Online, or the author in respect to the information provided in respect of the content or omission or for any reason or as a result of treatment in individual circumstances. This information is not for use in the USA.

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Mucous Cysts of the Fingers