A ganglion is a benign growth caused by a small eversion of the joint capsule or the tendons, usually of the hands. It is filled with synovial fluid (joint fluid). Ganglion cysts are lumps, which are noncancerous and develop most commonly along the joints or tendons of wrists or hands.
Ganglion cysts are typically oval or round and are filled with a jellylike fluid called synovia. These cysts can develop also in the feet and ankles. The size can vary. Small ganglion cysts can have the size of a pea while larger ones can be about 2.5 centimeters in diameter. Their location can interfere sometimes with joint motion and they can be painful if they press on an adjacent nerve.
The causes of ganglion cysts are not known exactly but some factors can increase the risk for ganglion cysts. While ganglion cysts can develop in anybody, they occur mostly in women starting at the age of 20 up to 40. People with osteoarthritis in the finger joints near to the nails of their fingers are most likely to develop the condition close to those joints. People who have injured their tendons or joints in the past have also a higher risk of developing ganglion cysts. A ganglion cyst is usually painless. The pain can occur when a cyst presses on a nerve but even small cysts can cause muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, or pain. Large ganglion cysts form noticeable lumps. Most people consult a doctor because of motion restriction and cosmetic issues.
Since ganglion cysts are often painless, there is no need for treatment. Doctors can recommend a watch-and wait-strategy. In case of pain or interference with joint motion, the doctor can recommend immobilization since activity can cause the cyst to grow larger. Immobilization of the affected area can be done with a splint or brace for a short time to make the cyst shrink and to relieve pain. Doctors can also suggest aspiration or surgery if other approaches have failed. However, the cyst can recur even after surgery.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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