Any new lump or bump on your body should be checked by a healthcare provider. This pathway is for anyone who has been diagnosed with a ganglion cyst on their hand or wrist.
Most ganglion cysts can be diagnosed through an exam by your healthcare provider. They will examine the changes that you have identified to your hand or wrist.
Your healthcare provider may ask you to go for an ultrasound or x-ray only if they can’t easily tell that the change in your hand or wrist is a ganglion cyst.
Ultrasound
If there is a question about whether the lump or bump is a ganglion cyst, your healthcare provider may order an ultrasound. In an ultrasound, a gel is placed on the area that is being looked at, like your wrist, and a device is used to touch and scan the area, creating a picture for your healthcare team to look at.
X-ray
If they can’t easily tell that the change in your hand or wrist is a ganglion cyst, your healthcare provider may ask you to get an x-ray of your hand and wrist. In these cases, the x-ray results will help your healthcare providers determine the best treatment plan for you.
Ganglion Cyst Pathway
Download or print the
full patient pathway (PDF) and
summary (one-page PDF) to learn more about how to prevent, manage, and treat ganglion cyst problems.
Patient Pathway 
Summary
