Ganglions are the most common non-cancerous bumps on the hands and wrists. Ganglions are actually fluid-filled sacs that develop from a tendon sheath or the lining of a joint. Fluid collects in a sac and cannot drain out, so a soft bump appears. The fluid is clear and jellylike, similar to the fluid found in joints. Commonly, ganglion cysts grow on the top of the wrist (dorsal ganglions). But they can also be found on the underside of the wrist (between the thumb and your pulse point), at the end joint of a finger or at the base of a finger. Most of the time, these harmless cysts disappear in time.

Causes
No one knows what triggers the formation of a ganglion. Women are more likely to be affected than men, and ganglions are common among gymnasts, who repeatedly apply stress to the wrist. Because the fluid-filled sac puts pressure on the nerves that pass through the joint, some ganglion cysts may be painful. Large ganglions, even if they are not painful, are unattractive. Smaller ganglions that remain hidden under the skin (occult ganglions) may be quite painful.

Symptoms
Obvious bumps at the wrist, finger base or end joint, and pain in the same locale are the most common symptoms of ganglions.

Treatment
The first course of treatment is nonsurgical and conservative. Because the ganglion is not cancerous and may disappear in time, the physician may recommend just waiting and watching to make sure that no radical changes occur. Sometimes, activity can cause the ganglion to increase in size, thus increasing the pressure on nerves and causing pain. Your physician may recommend that you wear a wrist brace or splint to relieve symptoms and allow the ganglion to decrease in size. As pain decreases, your doctor may prescribe exercises to strengthen the wrist and improve range of motion.