We have a range of non surgical and surgical treatments to offer for mucous cysts of the fingers.
Because we do not have a cure for the underlying condition cauing mucous cysts that osteoarthritis we try to avoid operating on them.
Often the best treatment is no treatment. If the cyst is not painful and not causing other symptoms it is often best left alone.
In some cases we can aspirate the cyst and inject a medicine into the cyst cavity which irritates the internal surfaces of the cyst. This aims to make the internal layer of the cyst "sticky" so they stick to each other and scar up preventing recurrence.
In a small number of cases surgery is indicated usually because the patient is finding the cyst painful.
If surgery is required it is normally a Day procedure performed at the hospital.
The surgery is performed under local anaesthetic with intravenous sedation so that you do not require a general anaesthetic for this condition. The added benefit of the local anaesthetic is that is provides excellent post operative pain control.
The surgery itself requires removal of the cyst, opening of the joint to make sure all of the cyst is removed, removal of the bone spur (osteophyte), repair of the joint capsule and replacement of the skin where the cyst existed either with a local flap of tissue or a skin graft .
After the surgery you will have a bandage and a splint of that finger only. All your other fingers will be left free. You will notice the day after surgery all of your other fingers are puffy and swollen. This will settle.
You will have a dressing on the operated finger fro 2-4 weeks following surgery.
Risks: Any surgery however minor has risks. Fortunately major issues following surgery for mucous cysts is very rare.