Ganglion Cyst (Wrist Cyst): Causes, Treatment and Exercises

Months – 1 yearHow long most cysts can take to go away without treatment

In womenMuch more common than in men

30%Share of wrist cysts that draining with a needle cures; most fill up again

10–30%Recurrence after surgery; it varies with where the cyst is

Symptoms

A smooth, soft lump under the skin, from smaller than a pea to a few centimetres across.
Usually painless; it can hurt when or after you move the nearby joint.
Sometimes numbness or aching after movement.

Where does it occur?

Back of the wrist: The most common site; usually seen in young adults.
Front of the wrist: At the base of the thumb, close to the artery where you feel your pulse.
Base of a finger: On the palm side, a small cyst arising from the tendon sheath.
End joint of a finger: Near the nail; usually in middle age and older, together with arthritis of the joint.
The cause is often unknown; sometimes it forms when fluid leaks from a joint after an injury.

What can I do at home?

A painkiller such as ibuprofen can reduce pain and swelling; you can ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.
A wrist support or wrap from a pharmacy may help.
Do not try to burst the cyst; this can cause infection and skin damage.

Treatment options

Waiting: The most commonly recommended option if there is no pain, numbness or worry.
Draining with a needle: Recommended if there are symptoms; the cyst often fills up again but may then be painless.
Surgery: Considered if pain or numbness continues despite draining and hand use is limited.

Exercises at home

Six exercises to keep the wrist moving

There is no evidence that these movements shrink the cyst. The aim is to keep your wrist and fingers moving if the cyst causes pain or stiffness. Do not force movements that clearly make the cyst hurt or increase numbness.

Wrist movement

Moving the wrist up and down

Rest your forearm on a table with your hand over the edge. Without any weight, lift your wrist as far as is comfortable, then lower it. Do not push to the point where the cyst clearly hurts.

10 times each way, 2–3 times a day

Forearm rotation

Turning the forearm in and out

Rest your forearm on a table. Start with the back of your hand on the table, then slowly turn it so your palm faces down, and turn back. You do not need a weight.

10 reps, 2–3 times a day

Tendon gliding

Hold your hand upright with your fingers straight. Move through the following positions in turn, holding each one for 3 seconds: curl your fingertips down into a hook; make a full fist; keep your fingers straight and bend them to 90 degrees only at the knuckles where they join the hand (tabletop position); make a fist while keeping your fingertips straight; then open your hand. This helps the finger tendons glide smoothly inside the tunnel.

5–10 rounds, 3–5 times a day

Wrist flexor stretch

Stretch your arm out in front of you with the elbow straight and palm facing up. With your other hand, gently pull your fingers down and back until you feel a mild stretch on the inside of your forearm. Do not push so far that the numbness increases.

15–20 seconds, 3 reps

Wrist flexor stretch

Wrist extensor stretch

Stretch your arm out in front of you with the elbow straight and palm facing down. With your other hand, hold the back of your hand and gently bend your wrist down and towards you; feel a stretch on the outside of your forearm.

20–30 seconds, 3 reps

Ball squeeze

Hold a soft ball or a rolled-up towel in your hand. Squeeze it only as hard as you can without increasing the pain, hold for a few seconds, then let go. This builds grip strength; if the pain increases, choose a softer object.

10 reps, 2–3 times a day

Frequently asked questions

Does a ganglion cyst go away on its own?

Usually, yes. Many cysts disappear without treatment; this can take from a few months to a year. If it is not causing pain, numbness or worry, treatment is usually not recommended.

Can I burst the cyst by hitting it with a book or pressing on it?

No. Trying to burst the cyst yourself can cause infection and skin damage.

Does draining it with a needle work?

Some cysts go away after draining, but most wrist cysts fill up again; a cyst that comes back may be painless. Cysts on the front of the wrist can lie close to the artery where you feel your pulse, so draining them needs care.

Can it come back after surgery?

It can. According to the hand surgeons’ society leaflet, recurrence after surgery is about 10% for cysts on the back of the wrist and about 30% for those on the front. Wrist and hand use can be limited for about 4–6 weeks after surgery, and there are risks such as scarring, pain and loss of movement.

For other common causes of wrist and finger pain, you can look at the De Quervain’s, trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome guides.

When should you see a doctor?

If a lump worries you
If the lump is getting bigger
If the lump is hard and does not move
If you have numbness, tingling or weakness in your hand or fingers
Same day: if the lump is very painful, hot or red (redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin)

Sources

NHS. Ganglion cyst. Page last reviewed 16 July 2025.
Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. Evidence-Based Interventions: Ganglion excision. Last reviewed September 2024.
British Society for Surgery of the Hand. Ganglion cyst. Patient information leaflet, 2016.