Ganglion cysts, also called bible cysts, are non-cancerous lumps that commonly develop on the wrist or ankle joints. They are densely filled with fluid and are often painless. When a tiny tear occurs in the sleeve of thin tissue that protects a joint or tendon, a ganglion cyst forms. The tissue expands and forms a sac. Fluid leaks from the joint into the sac, it results in edema. Ganglion cysts are usually round or oval in appearance.

These cysts are often referred to as “Bible bumps or cysts.” Traditionally, people tried to flatten the bumps by placing a hefty book on them. The literature book that served this goal most commonly was the Bible. This antiquated method isn’t suggested in current times, as it can damage the soft tissue in the joints, causing further pain and bruises.

Causes
There are no known causes of ganglion cysts. They might arise suddenly or gradually and can disappear on their own. There are, however, certain risk variables to consider:

• Gender and age
  Women are more likely to develop ganglion cysts, with 70% of the cases occurring between the ages of 20 and 40. The lump can rarely develop in children as young as ten years old.
• Osteoarthritis
  Ganglion cysts are more likely to develop in the finger joints of people who have wear-and-tear arthritis in the joint near the fingernail.
• Injuries to the tendons or joints
  Ganglion cysts are more likely to occur in joints or tendons that have been damaged.

Symptoms
Most ganglion cysts have no symptoms, but if they do occur, some of the indications shown by the lump are:

• Pain, tingling, or numbness is experienced when bending the joint
• The skin over the cyst may feel smooth, round, and rubbery
• Reduced mobility or diminished grip power at the location of the cyst
• The joint motion may make the chronic discomfort worse.

Treatment
The majority of ganglion cysts resolve on their own; thus, surgery is uncommon. Most likely, the doctor will opt for conservative treatments like immobilizing the joint or extraction of the cyst’s fluids.

• Aspiration
  During this procedure, the doctor uses a tool in the cyst to extract the fluid inside. The area is then treated with an anti-inflammatory steroid, and a splint is placed over the treated part to stop further movement. Aspiration cannot remove the cyst’s attachment to the joint, so they commonly come back.
• Surgery
  During surgery, the doctor removes the cyst and the area around it that attaches it to the joint. Your doctor could suggest an operation if aspiration has failed to cure the symptoms of the mass and the lump has impaired function, especially in your dominant hand, or generated finger or hand tingling or numbness.

In the past, these growths were treated at home with topical plaster, heat, and various poultices. These procedures are no longer advised because they haven’t been shown to stop ganglion cyst recurrence and might worsen the condition. It’s best to consult a general physician or an orthopedic to confirm the diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan to manage the condition.