Playing with a Ganglion Cyst

Charling · #1 05-31-2007, 05:57 PM

Hi!

I've developed a small but nevertheless present ganglion cyst on my left index finger, right at the base

it sits neatly in the fleshy inner corner, palm side up, and its not visible, only feelable but very hard.

I cannot be sure how long its been there but I think its been a while. I am almost certain that it is due to my rash entry to Double bass, where I suddenly traded for the upright out of the blue and went straight into playing big concerts etc. I think that my flat fingered (ie straight knuckles) playing when I changed over put unnecessary strain on the joint in question making the cyst pop up.

my only worry is that further playing (even with my corrected technique) will exacerbate the situation and cause the cyst to swell.

at the moment it has little or no affect on my playing, and I only notice it occasionally on the electric bass, where I can feel it touching the underside of the neck sometimes. But if it were to get bigger I worry it would impede movement or worse damage the ligaments in the finger...

does anyone have any experience on this kind of injury? anyone been playing for years with one or had to stop for a while because of one?

My doctor was as expected, 'so you play bass? yeah, thats probably it, you should stop.' 'but its my job!!' 'ok, goodbye'

any help gratefully received!

Aaron Saunders · #2 05-31-2007, 06:12 PM

Is draining/removal not an option? I thought cysts were generally benign and easy to deal with.

Charling · #3 06-01-2007, 05:33 AM

yeah, that would be ideal, but it is too hard to drain apparently. and its in an awkward a place for surgical removal, and the operation may cause damage apparently. I will go that rout if I have to though but for now the doctor seemed keen to see if it goes away..

rhythmchanges · #4 06-01-2007, 06:03 AM

I have one on my wrist that sort of comes and goes. The doc told me something to the effect of, "If they do surgery to remove it/drain it there is a 50% chance (something like that) that it'll come back. If you just rest it and it goes away, there is (something like) a 60% chance it'll come back. Nothing like a lose/lose situation to brighten the day. I feel for you brutha. They can hurt like whodda thunk.

ee-san · #5 06-01-2007, 08:59 AM

I had one in the same place that developed (twice in 5 years) from using vibrating tools (electric sanders). Mine went away by regular gentle massaging during idle moments (good tune). My technique was to stretch the finger out straight and massage several times a day. If it hurt I stopped or reduced the pressure. It took several weeks for the cyst to diminish. You might try massage first as surgery in that delicate area has risks, as you've heard.

DeadHeadSF · #6 02-22-2012, 11:43 AM

I just got one of these little monsters myself and I'm not sure what to do about it yet. It's not a total show-stopper, but it has caused me to use a lot more caution when playing certain passages where I have to bar with my index finger. The cyst is between the first and second joints from the tip of the finger.

Haven't consulted my regular doc about it yet, but the story I've gotten so far is that it can be surgically treated, but there's a 50/50 chance it'll just come right back. Plus, there's risk of damage to the nerves or tendon with surgery.

I'm wondering if my playing style and/or the constant abuse our fingers get while playing stringed instruments causes these cysts to form. If so, how do we modify our technique to avoid them? I don't use excessive pressure and don't have pain while playing (unless I roll over the cyst).

onosson · #7 02-22-2012, 12:02 PM

Are they 100% sure of the diagnosis? The reason I ask is that I was diagnosed with a ganglion cyst when I was a teenager, on the outer left side of my left ankle. I had surgery to remove it, the only surgery I've had and the only time I've ever been under a general anaesthetic.

Turns out it was a 2-inch wide callus! And it since re-formed, but I just leave it alone and it doesn't bother me.

johnnycat42 · #8 02-22-2012, 12:19 PM

I have had a ganglion cyst a few times in the wrist of my fretting hand. I have found that using a really thick hard cover book to smash it a few times with the back binding will often make it go away. It hurts like hell for about 60 to 90 seconds but it is often gone within a few days. It sounds a little barbaric but it worked for me. They used to call them Bible Bumps because they used to smash them with a Bible in the old days. Not sure if there is any additional risks associated with my method or how that would work on fingers but it worked for me the few times I did it.

DeadHeadSF · #9 02-22-2012, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnycat42

I have had a ganglion cyst a few times in the wrist of my fretting hand. I have found that using a really thick hard cover book to smash it a few times with the back binding will often make it go away. It hurts like hell for about 60 to 90 seconds but it is often gone within a few days. It sounds a little barbaric but it worked for me. They used to call them Bible Bumps because they used to smash them with a Bible in the old days. Not sure if there is any additional risks associated with my method or how that would work on fingers but it worked for me the few times I did it.

The biggest risk to doing this is (obviously) fractures. No thanks.

powerbass · #10 02-22-2012, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ee-san

I had one in the same place that developed (twice in 5 years) from using vibrating tools (electric sanders). Mine went away by regular gentle massaging during idle moments (good tune). My technique was to stretch the finger out straight and massage several times a day. If it hurt I stopped or reduced the pressure. It took several weeks for the cyst to diminish. You might try massage first as surgery in that delicate area has risks, as you've heard.

This approach seems like a simple option to try.

TroyK · #11 02-22-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnycat42

...I have found that using a really thick hard cover book to smash it a few times with the back binding will often make it go away. It hurts like hell for about 60 to 90 seconds but it is often gone within a few days. It sounds a little barbaric...

Long story short, I walked in on someone asking a friend of his to do this to a big cyst on the back of his wrist. His friend was shaking his head saying "I don't know...that sounds a little..."

I piped up and said "I'll do it!" Smacked the crap out of him not once but twice. Made me feel a lot better that day, didn't have any effect on the cyst.

powerbass · #12 02-22-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ee-san

I had one in the same place that developed (twice in 5 years) from using vibrating tools (electric sanders). Mine went away by regular gentle massaging during idle moments (good tune). My technique was to stretch the finger out straight and massage several times a day. If it hurt I stopped or reduced the pressure. It took several weeks for the cyst to diminish. You might try massage first as surgery in that delicate area has risks, as you've heard.

This approach seems like a simple option to try.

Michael Case · #13 02-23-2012, 12:08 PM

I had one on the outside of my left wrist. Had it for years, tried the book bashing and that only made it smaller, but it was still there. Got the surgery in 1996 and haven't looked back. No more cyst. Honestly, I'd go ask a couple of doctors about your options.

Jim Nazium · #14 02-23-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Case

Honestly, I'd go ask a couple of doctors about your options.

That's what I would do. If the first guy you saw was a general practitioner, I'd try to see a hand surgeon. They might be able to suggest more treatment options.

Good luck!

Jammin Johneboy · #15 02-23-2012, 12:49 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Case
Honestly, I'd go ask a couple of doctors about your options.
__________________________________________________ ______________________

That's what I would do. If the first guy you saw was a general practitioner, I'd try to see a hand surgeon. They might be able to suggest more treatment options.

Good luck!
__________________________________________________ ______________________

+ 1 !!!

Ask your general practitioner ( family Doctor ) to refer you to a surgeon specialist . They are specialists for a good reason . They are experts in their field . A general practitioner is a general overall Doctor .

.

DeadHeadSF · #16 02-23-2012, 02:24 PM

Thanks for the helpful replies. Since it's not a serious issue at present (and I have other health issues I need to sort out first), I'll hang in there a bit, then probably opt for a hand surgeon to have a look at it. Too many medical bills *sigh*.

timobee4 · #17 02-25-2012, 12:22 AM

I had one at the base of left hand middle finger, annoying and painful after while, never goes away if not removed can damage tendon it incases. A hand surgeon removed it and all is good after a year, well worth the money!

Buxtehude · #18 02-25-2012, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnycat42

I have had a ganglion cyst a few times in the wrist of my fretting hand. I have found that using a really thick hard cover book to smash it a few times with the back binding will often make it go away. It hurts like hell for about 60 to 90 seconds but it is often gone within a few days. It sounds a little barbaric but it worked for me. They used to call them Bible Bumps because they used to smash them with a Bible in the old days. Not sure if there is any additional risks associated with my method or how that would work on fingers but it worked for me the few times I did it.

Do this! I had 2 and after dropping a phone book on it and a weeks rest it was gone.

timobee4 · #19 02-25-2012, 07:03 AM

I had one at the base of left hand middle finger, annoying and painful after while, never goes away if not removed can damage tendon it incases. A hand surgeon removed it and all is good after a year, well worth the money!

BassNeo · #20 02-25-2012, 07:23 AM

I had a cyst grow around the nerve that runs up the inside of my left middle finger. It became so painful to the touch even holding a cup of coffee sent stabbing pain up my arm.

I had the cyst removed once and it grew right back within 6 months. My doctor tried to tell me that I had to stop playing bass. When I told him this was not an option, he moved the nerve to the pad of the finger, just above the knuckle. The cyst remains in my finger but the pain is no more.

There are options, you just need to be insistent and try to find a specialist that will work with you.