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Show By C. A. DEAN, rVU). MEDITOEIALt A Mrs. A. P. writes that she had a cyst removed re-moved from her wrist six months ago and Is wondering why It has coma back again. The usual type of cyst that Is found on the wrist Is known as a ganglion. It originates from a tendon ten-don sheath In most instances. Each tendon (leader) that passes over the wrist onto the back of the hand to the fingers has a sheath or tunnel through which it passes. The sheath secretes a liquid Into In-to the tunnel to facilitate the movement move-ment of the tendon. For some unknown un-known reason a welling can develop de-velop In the sheath which later turns Into a thick, mucous liquid. A circular wall, formed from the layers of the sheath, develops around the swelling. This Is how a ganglion originates. Trauma, such as an unusual use of a wrist or forearm, as with a week-end do-it-yourselfer, or an injury from a fall, may initiate the formation of a ganglion. Ganglions can occur wherever there Is a tendon sheath or over a knuckle (joint). Even though the back of the wrist is the most t common site, ganglions also occur on the fingers, underside of the wrist, top of the feet and toes, outside out-side of and behind the knee. They usually don't produce symptoms although pain and weakness of the involved joint is occasionally seen. There is no relation re-lation of ganglions to cancer and thus they do not have to be removed re-moved unless they are "in the way." Treatment consists of removal by an operation. Due to the inherent inher-ent nature of ganglions, they tend to recur after surgery. Injection of ganglions has been tried with some success. If nothing else works leave them alone. Years ago hitting them with the back of the family bible was advised. It works, too! |