painful
Is hard or doesn’t move
Causes numbness or tingling
Makes it difficult to move your wrist or hand
Becomes red or hot
Appears after a significant injury
Remains present and concerns you
A healthcare professional can examine the lump and determine whether it appears to be a ganglion or whether additional testing is needed.
Final Thoughts
A lump on your wrist can certainly be alarming, but many wrist lumps—particularly ganglion cysts—are harmless and may improve without treatment.
The most important thing is not to try to pop, puncture, or drain the lump yourself. If you’re unsure what it is, if it’s changing, or if it’s causing pain or other symptoms, have it evaluated by a healthcare professional.
