What is a secondary ganglion? All joints have a thin inner membrane. On the outside of the joint is a thick outer membrane called the capsule. In patients between older than 30 yrs. the joint to produce excess fluid due to an existing problem inside the joint. Due to the increase in volume and pressure inside the joint, the thin membrane pushes through an opening in the capsule, causing a secondary ganglion. A fluid filled bubble then forms on the outside of the joint. The neck of the bubble acts like a one directional valve, which prevents the fluid from escaping back into the wrist joint. Over time the bubble becomes bigger and bigger.
What conditions cause a secondary ganglion? Any condition that cause irritation of the membrane of the joint can cause the joint to produce excess fluid. The thin membrane also swells of itself.
There are many conditions that can irritate the wrist joint; e.g. wear and tear (osteo-arthrosis) of the joint because of a previous ligament or cartilage injury, gout arthritis, a tear of the tri-fibro cartilage complex, rheumatoid arthritis and others.
How do we treat a secondary ganglion? Removing a secondary ganglion serve little purpose unless the primary problem inside the wrist is attended too. We need to find the reason why the wrist joint is producing an excess of fluid and swelling.
Some conditions can be treated with medication, reducing the inflammatory reaction within the joint, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis.
When there is a structural problem the decision making becomes more difficult. Other factors will be taken into consideration e.g how long the problem has been there, how much damage has already been done to the joint.
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