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At Practice Plus Group we offer fast access to high-quality ganglion cyst removal and treatment via self-pay, insured and NHS routes.
5,000
number of treatments carried out a month
Good
Care quality commission rated
100%
Clean record for hospital acquired infections
99%
Of patients recommend Practice Plus Group
A ganglion cyst is a harmless, sometimes painful, fluid-filled swelling which usually develops near a joint or tendon.
A ganglion cyst can vary in size from a pea to a golf ball. They consist of synovial fluid, the thick, gelatinous fluid which surrounds joints and tendons, and they feel and look like a smooth lump under the skin.
While they can occur adjacent to any joint, they are especially common on the wrist, hand and fingers.
It’s still a bit of a mystery as to what causes ganglion cysts to develop. What we do know is that it grows out of a joint or the lining of a tendon. Ganglion cysts seem to occur when the tissue surrounding a joint or tendon protrudes out of place. The fluid found inside the cyst is similar to that found in joints and tendons.
While ganglion cysts are harmless, they can nevertheless be painful. If they are not painful they can safely go untreated and may disappear on their own, which can take a number of years.
Treatment is only recommended if there is pain or if the ganglion cyst is affecting the movement of a joint – this may be available on the NHS but increasingly less so.
You may wish to have a ganglion cyst removed for cosmetic reasons – this would not be funded by the NHS.
There are two main techniques for treatment – aspiration and surgical removal:
Aspiration is an outpatient procedure and involves using a needle and syringe to extract as much synovial fluid from the cyst as possible. Sometimes the area is injected with steroid medication to reduce the chances of the ganglion cyst coming back. It is a simple and painless procedure and often the first treatment offered. You’ll be able to go home immediately afterwards.
Surgery to remove a ganglion cyst takes two forms: open surgery; (where your surgeon makes a cut of about 5cms over the affected area), and arthroscopic surgery, which is a form of keyhole surgery and uses an arthroscope as a guide. Both can be performed under either local or general anaesthetic, depending on your preference and what your surgeon thinks is most appropriate.
Aspiration takes a matter of minutes, and depending on the technique used surgical removal can take between 20 and 45 minutes.
For aspiration and surgery using local anaesthetic there will be no need for a stay in hospital. If you have a general anaesthetic you may need to stay for a night depending on the time of day of your operation and your reaction to the anaesthetic.
If you have had a surgical removal, your wound will be stitched and bandaged. If surgery was performed on your hand or wrist than elevation and gentle movement of your fingers will help swelling and aid healing.
Following your surgery, you should expect soreness and swelling at the site of your incision. This will likely last for a few days. Icing the affected area will help to reduce the swelling and speed up your recovery. Most patients will make a full recovery in two to six weeks.
Ganglion cyst removal is a minor operation and as such rarely has risks or complications. If you have had a surgical removal you may experience:
More often than not, ganglion cysts will go away on their own accord. However, on occasion, surgery is required.
If you need surgery to remove a ganglion cyst, you’ll need to prepare for the operation. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking certain medications prior to surgery. In the days before your operation, you should let your doctor know if you have a cold, flu or fever. This may affect whether your procedure needs to be delayed. As with any operation, if you’re a smoker, you should quit to help expedite your recovery.
If you need to get a ganglion cyst removed, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can submit a consultation form below or explore the different ways to pay for treatment with Practice Plus Group.
The average cost of ganglion cyst removal in the UK is £2,522. The lowest cost nationally is around £1,665, with prices fluctuating by region.
At Practice Plus Group, the cost of ganglion cyst removal is £2,505.
As mentioned, the average cost of ganglion cyst removal in the UK is around £2,500. Prices fluctuate by region but the lowest cost nationally is £1,665.
At Practice Plus Group, the cost of ganglion cyst removal is £2,505.
Aspiration is typically the first treatment offered for a ganglion cyst. It involves draining the fluid out of the cyst with a needle and syringe. Local anaesthetic is applied to the skin over the cyst and a small needle is used to aspirate the fluid out of the cyst.
While this form of treatment is immediately effective, it doesn’t remove the root of the cyst. This means the cyst can return in future.
Aspiration of a ganglion cyst costs a lot less than surgery. Patients should expect to pay between £100-200 for the treatment.
Not found what you’re looking for? Our FAQs can help! Read on for more information about ganglion cysts.
Usually between 12-18 months. In most cases, ganglion cysts will go away without treatment, while some can re-appear despite having treatment. If a ganglion cyst is painless, a health provider may recommend simply watching and waiting.
In most cases, people with ganglion cysts won’t experience pain or a lack of mobility due to the condition. However, when a cyst becomes too large, this can prove an issue. This is when removing the cyst can be the most beneficial.
If you’ve had a ganglion cyst for more than 12-18 months, you might want to consider treatment. Untreated ganglion cysts can burst and cause blood poisoning.
The most common complication to untreated ganglion cysts is infection. An untreated cyst can fill with bacteria and become an abscess. This can burst inside the body and lead to blood poisoning.
No. It isn’t recommended to try to remove ganglion cysts yourself. In the past, one remedy was to “thump” the cyst with a heavy object. This isn’t recommended as the force of the blow can damage the area around the cyst. Patients should also refrain from trying to pop or puncture the cyst themselves.
Although not usually painful, after surgery you’ll be given painkillers for any discomfort. You might need to wear a sling for a few days if your cyst was on your wrist.
Ganglion cysts removal is available on the NHS or at a private hospital. At Practice Plus Group, we offer fast access to high quality hand and wrist surgery via self-pay, insured and NHS routes. The surgery costs £2,505 and is available at the locations listed in the table below.
Find locations and prices…
| Procedure | Price |
|---|---|
| Ganglion cyst removal | £2505 |
| Procedure | Price |
|---|---|
| Ganglion cyst removal | £2505 |
| Procedure | Price |
|---|---|
| Ganglion cyst removal | £2505 |
| Procedure | Price |
|---|---|
| Ganglion cyst removal | £2505 |
| Procedure | Price |
|---|---|
| Ganglion cyst removal | £2505 |
| Procedure | Price |
|---|---|
| Ganglion cyst removal | £2505 |
| Procedure | Price |
|---|---|
| Ganglion cyst removal | £2505 |
| Procedure | Price |
|---|---|
| Ganglion cyst removal | £2505 |
At Practice Plus Group Hospitals we’re passionate about giving patients a positive experience and excellent clinical outcomes, with personalised care every step of the way. Whether you’re paying for yourself or using private medical insurance, with our short waiting times, unrivalled Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings and high levels of cleanliness and infection control, we’ll make sure you’re looked after. In fact, we were the first provider to have all services rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC.
Affordable options for funding your own treatment.
With our option of paying for yourself you’ll get high quality, consultant-delivered care without the unnecessary extras. It’s excellent value for money, with no compromise on clinical outcomes.
Hassle free treatment for patients with private medical insurance.
Whether you have your own private health insurance or are covered through your employer, receive expert hospital treatment at Practice Plus Group.
Through our partner Chrysalis Finance, we offer approved patients a range of funding options to pay for one-off private treatments.
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