Question
My husband has one of these on his left foot on the top of the foot and not knowing what it was he asked me to massage it.  As a result he has had excruciating pain for the last week that radiates from the cyst to the tips of his toes.  He has gotten different versions of what he should do, Ice, warm soaks, etc.  What should he do?

Answer
Hi Monika,

A ganglion cyst may be very close to a nerve and massage may lead to burning, radiating pain.  Ice is best for relieving pain.  I would avoid massage because it is too irritating.

He should see a podatrist and have the fluid removed from the cyst.  In some cases surgery is performed to remove the cyst.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com


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