A bump anywhere on the finger joint can be alarming even if no pain is involved. Luckily, most bumps are noncancerous; however, a doctor is best at determining the cause and if there is reason for concern. Ganglion cysts are common no-pain bumps on the finger joint.
Identification
A ganglion cyst is a painless, fluid-filled lump, which can be very hard or spongy. They are usually round and can vary from small to large. Some ganglion cysts are visible while others are embedded in the skin and are only noticed if touched. These cysts commonly develop along tendons or joints of the wrists and hands. Arthritic bone spurs are often associated with cysts at the end joints of fingers, according to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
Diagnosis
Your family physician will feel the bump to determine if pain is present and if the bump can be moved from side-to-side or is stationary. An X-ray will help verify the cause and determine the location of the cyst. An MRI or ultrasound may also be used for diagnosis.
Treatment
In simple cases, your doctor will use a needle and syringe to remove the fluid from the cyst or use a regional anesthetic to numb the area and fully remove the cyst. It's not always an easy in-office treatment. If the cyst is located deep within the joint and nerves, general anesthesia will be used for the surgical procedure. If surgery is done, you will receive stitches. Your finger will be swollen, tender and uncomfortable for two to six weeks after your surgery, according to MayoClinic.com. Most doctors will give pain medication, but if pain is severe enough to keep you awake at night, contact your doctor.
Considerations
Once a ganglion cyst is removed, there is a 60 percent chance the cyst will return, according to MayoClinic.com. Although the cysts themselves are painless, they can cause pressure on adjacent joints and nerves. Increased activity at the cyst's site can cause the cyst to grow larger in size, according to MayoClinic.com.
Other
Some additional painless bumps on the fingers joints are various tumors. Doctors may suspect a ganglion cyst until the surgical removal reveals a tumor. Tumors are abnormal tissue growths that are benign or cancerous and cysts are filled with air, fluid or other material, according to MayoClinic.com. Giant cell tumors are benign joint tissue tumors and glomus tumors are benign and found around blood vessels under the skin of the fingers, according to the American Cancer Society.
