FOOT CYSTS
WHAT IS A CYST?
A cyst is a sac filled with a jellylike fluid that originates from a tendon sheath or joint capsule. Ganglion cysts are among the most common benign soft-tissue masses. Although they most often occur on the wrist, they also frequently develop on the foot—usually on the top, but elsewhere as well. Cysts vary in size, may get smaller and larger and may even disappear completely, only to return later.
TREATMENT:
There are various conservative options for treating a ganglion cyst on the foot: monitoring but no active treatment, shoe modifications, padding or offloading of the area, and aspiration and injections. When other treatment options fail or are not appropriate, the cyst may need to be surgically removed. While the recurrence rate associated with surgery is much lower than that experienced with aspiration and injection therapy, there are cases in which the ganglion cyst returns.
