A small bump under your finger joint is most likely a ganglion cyst. According to the MayoClinic.com, a ganglion cyst is a non-cancerous lump. Although the cyst may feel hard, it is actually full of fluid. Most commonly, ganglion cysts appear on the tendons or joints of your hand, wrist or finger.
Causes
Although ganglion cysts are common, the causes of such cysts remain unknown. It appears that ganglion cysts develop on or near a joint when the tissue surrounding that joint, or tendon, creates a bulge. The fluid inside a ganglion cyst is similar to the fluid in joints or surrounding tendons. it is possible that the formation of a cyst may be sparked by repetitive use or trauma to the finger joint.
Symptoms
A ganglion cyst typically presents as a noticeable lump under the skin. If the cyst is causing pressure on a nerve or another part of your body, you may feel some degree of pain at the site of the cyst. If a nerve is compromised by the cyst, you may also experience some numbness or a tingling sensation. Doctors will typically examine a ganglion cyst by applying pressure to the cyst and noting any discomfort or tenderness caused by this action.
Treatment Options
The MayoClinic.com reports that ganglion cysts will quite often go away spontaneously, without medical intervention. If you are adopting a wait-and-see approach, it may help to have your finger joint immobilized with a splint in order to reduce movement and aggravation of the cyst area. Larger cysts may be aspirated using a hollow needle -- the needle is inserted into the center of the cyst and then used to remove the jelly-like fluid inside the cyst. If aspiration is not an option for your particular cyst, surgery may be considered. In the case of a finger cyst, surgery may be recommended if the cyst is too small for needle aspiration.
Considerations
Just as cysts may disappear without treatment, it is also quite common for a cyst to reoccur following medical treatment or surgical removal. Cyst-removal surgery is not guaranteed to prevent the same cyst reforming at the same location in your finger. Aspiration, likewise, does not guarantee that the cyst will be completely removed -- the aspirated cyst can always fill up with more jelly-like fluid following aspiration.
Warning
Although ganglion cysts are a very common cause of small bumps around the finger joint, they are certainly not the only cause. Any new or changing lump or growth -- anywhere on your body -- should be checked by your own health care provider. Only a medical professional can offer you independent, individual medical advice upon which you can base your decisions regarding treatment options.
