Medically reviewed by: Mark A. Yaffe, MD, certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, subspecialty certified in hand surgery. Last reviewed: October 5, 2026
LUMPS & CYSTS OF THE HAND AND FINGERS IN THE CHICAGO AREA
Finger Ganglion Cyst & Hand Mass Treatment
Dr. Mark Yaffe(opens in a new tab) is an orthopedic specialist with a subspecialty focus on hand and wrist conditions, including finger ganglion cysts and other lumps in the hand. Finding a new bump on your finger or hand can be worrying, and even a harmless one can be painful or get in the way of gripping and everyday tasks. Dr. Yaffe’s goal is to tell you what the lump is and, if it needs treatment, to remove it with the least invasive approach that will work for you.
Whether the lump is small and painless or has been growing and bothering you, Dr. Yaffe offers a thorough evaluation and a plan matched to your symptoms. As part of his broader hand and wrist care(opens in a new tab), he offers monitoring when treatment is not needed and minimally invasive removal of finger ganglion cysts and hand masses, performed with local anesthesia, when it is.
Dr. Yaffe takes the time to listen to your concerns and explains your options so you can decide what fits your goals. If you are ready to find answers with one of the hand & wrist doctors serving Schaumburg(opens in a new tab), Buffalo Grove(opens in a new tab), and Elk Grove Village(opens in a new tab), request your first appointment with Dr. Yaffe today.
Hand Lumps, Finger Bumps & Tenderness
Signs and Symptoms of Finger Ganglion Cysts and Hand Masses
A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms next to a joint or tendon, and it is one of the most common lumps in the hand. Other types of masses can also appear in the hand and fingers, so a lump is best confirmed by an exam. Common signs include:
- A visible or palpable lump: A round, smooth bump that may feel firm or slightly spongy, often on the back of the hand or finger, at the base of a finger on the palm side, or near the joint closest to the fingertip.
- A small cyst at the base of a finger on the palm side may be tender when you grip or press on it.
- Pain or tenderness: Soreness at the lump or in the nearby joint, especially with pressing, gripping or repeated use.
- Changes in size: A lump that grows, shrinks or seems larger after activity and smaller with rest.
- Nail changes: A cyst near the fingertip joint can press on the nail growth area and cause a groove or ridge in the nail.
- Stiffness, weakness or tingling: A mass can press on nearby tendons, joints or nerves and make the hand feel stiff, weak or tingly.
- A lump that grows quickly, feels hard or is painful at rest should be checked promptly, which is one reason evaluation is worthwhile.
MONITORING & MINIMALLY INVASIVE REMOVAL UNDER LOCAL ANESTHESIA
Finger Ganglion Cyst & Hand Mass Treatment Options
The right treatment depends on what the lump is, how much it bothers you, and how it affects your hand. Not every lump needs to be removed. Dr. Yaffe’s options include:
- Monitoring and non-surgical care: Many ganglion cysts are harmless and painless, and they can simply be watched over time with activity adjustments if the area is sore. This is a reasonable choice when the lump is not causing problems.
- Finger ganglion cyst and mass excision: Removal of the cyst or mass, performed with local numbing medication (local anesthesia), which makes sedation with an anesthesiologist unnecessary, speeds recovery time, and reduces procedure costs. When appropriate, removed tissue can be examined to confirm what the lump was.
- Minimally-Invasive Surgery(opens in a new tab): Dr. Yaffe uses techniques developed specifically for the hand and wrist, with the goal of reducing recovery time and getting you back to work and the activities you enjoy as soon as possible.
- Preparing for Surgery & Procedure(opens in a new tab): If you and Dr. Yaffe decide on removal, this guide explains how to get ready for your procedure so you know what to expect.
Removal is considered when a lump is painful, limits hand use, keeps growing, bothers you cosmetically, or needs to be identified. There is no single right time, and Dr. Yaffe will walk through your options with you. This page is for education and does not replace an examination, so an in-person evaluation is the way to confirm what your lump is and the best plan for you.
About your surgeon. Dr. Mark A. Yaffe is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in orthopaedic surgery, with a subspecialty certification in hand surgery, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his M.D. at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, completed his orthopaedic residency at Northwestern, and trained in hand and upper extremity surgery at The Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center. He was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in 2026 and a Chicago Magazine Top Doctor in 2025. Read Dr. Yaffe's full bio.(opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ganglion cyst and what causes it?
A ganglion cyst is a noncancerous, fluid-filled sac that grows from a joint or tendon sheath, most often in the hand and wrist. The exact cause is not fully understood. Cysts sometimes appear after an injury or alongside joint wear, such as arthritis near the fingertip joint, but many develop for no clear reason. Dr. Yaffe evaluates each lump to understand what it is and what may be behind it.
How are ganglion cysts and hand masses diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with your history and a hands-on exam, where Dr. Yaffe checks the size, location and feel of the lump and how it relates to nearby joints and tendons. Imaging such as X-rays, ultrasound or MRI may be used when the diagnosis is unclear or to see what is under the lump. This helps confirm what the mass is before recommending any treatment.
Do ganglion cysts need to be treated?
Not always. A cyst that is painless and not causing problems can often be monitored. Treatment is worth discussing when a lump is painful, interferes with gripping or other activities, keeps growing, or when you want it removed or need to know exactly what it is.
Can a ganglion cyst go away on its own?
Sometimes. Some ganglion cysts shrink or disappear without treatment, but others stay or come back. A cyst can sometimes be drained, though it may return, while removing the cyst along with its connection to the joint or tendon is generally more definitive. Dr. Yaffe will talk through which approach makes sense for your lump.
Will I need to be “put under” during my ganglion cyst surgery?
Probably not. Dr. Yaffe prefers to use local anesthesia for most finger and hand cases, including treatment for finger ganglion cysts and mass excisions. Local anesthesia is less invasive and less expensive for patients than general anesthesia, and Dr. Yaffe is able to provide excellent results with this approach. He will confirm the anesthesia plan with you before your procedure.
How does a ganglion cyst or hand mass excision work?
After the area is numbed with local anesthesia, Dr. Yaffe removes the cyst or mass through a small incision, including the connection to the joint or tendon where a ganglion cyst originates, which is designed to lower the chance of it returning. This minimally invasive surgery(opens in a new tab) aims to limit postoperative discomfort and speed recovery. Results vary by patient, and Dr. Yaffe will discuss what to expect for your situation.
What can I expect during my recovery from a cyst or mass excision?
Dr. Yaffe will give you specific instructions for caring for the incision, when to begin using the hand, and when to return to your usual activities. Because the procedure is minimally invasive and performed with local anesthesia, many patients return to light daily activities quickly. If tissue was sent for examination, Dr. Yaffe will review the results with you. Recovery timelines vary from patient to patient.
How can I get started with the best hand and wrist specialist near me?
At Dr. Yaffe’s practice, we want it to be as easy as possible to get started on your road to answers and relief. Just use our simple online appointment request(opens in a new tab) tool, and it helps to note when you first noticed the lump and whether it has changed in size.
Get Your Hand Lump Evaluated by a Hand & Wrist Specialist
Expert Orthopedic Care from Mark A. Yaffe, M.D.