Ganglion cysts from biking?

[Cindyloo]

Hi ladies (and gents). I have two ganglion cysts on the palm side of my right hand. One is on the pad below my index finger and the other is at the base of my middle (birdy) finger causing a trigger finger. The orthopedist is perplexed as to how two have occurred near the adjacent fingers. When he asked about hobbies I told him about biking and he said, "oh yes, the continuous gripping must have done it." Since I have had them injected and they have only grown and become more painful over the last 8 months, he is going to do surgery at the end of this month. They have really put a damper on my biking as they get really sore.

So, is it possible that biking caused these to form? He said that if (I corrected him to say WHEN) I went back to biking that I needed more padding and thicker grips/wrap to make the grip fatter. I wear padded riding gloves any time I am on the bike. I just don't know if this is the cause....but I don't know what else it could be either.

I would really appreciate your opinions or experiences.

Cindy

[tulip]

I know nothing about cysts, but I do know a bit about biking. Are you, in fact, constantly gripping the bars? I keep my hands relaxed, not gripped. If you are gripping, then maybe it would cause a problem in your hands, as well as your arms, shoulders, back, etc.

But you seem like a competent and informed rider, so I assume you know all that already.

[Mr. Bloom]

Cindy, I had a huge ganglion cyst on the top side of my wrist removed in my teens. Went straight to surgery without trying aspiration. Honestly, if I had to do it over again, I probably would avoid the surgery and pursued frequent aspiration...not because of the surgery, but I think it took 2 years before I had complete mobility again (mine was right where the hand meets the wrist.

But to your question: can cycling cause this? To my understanding, "yes" it could contribute. Mine erupted following a bad bout of bersitis following a bad fall (kid stuff). I understand that a restriction on the internal flow of fluids contributes to the creation of this type of cyst.

Based on this, I agree with tulip that it might be as simple as "loosening up" on the grip or frequently stretching out your fingers during a ride. I also wear heavily padded gloves because of nerve issues.

I'm not a medical professional...this is just my humble opinion based on my experience.

Silver's had one on the bottom of her wrist aspirated many times...I think it finally went away...silver?

[redrhodie]

I got one when I first started riding. I had a MTB which was too big for me, which was putting too much pressure on my hands and wrists. Since I got a properly sized road bike, riding no longer aggravates it. It's still there, but it doesn't hurt.

Rather than surgery, I'd go in for a bike fitting if I were you. A new bike may cure the problem with no insurance companies involved!

[teigyr]

I had one and it went away. I got it, I think, from riding too hard on my handlebars whilst going over bumpy roads. It'd come back periodically but I haven't seen it for a long time. Someone I know referred to it as a "bible bump" because the way to cure 'em in the old days was to smash a bible down on it so it'd burst.

I was concerned when I had it but that was a long time ago. I notice my range of motion in that wrist is slightly less now but that might be because I started favoring it.

[velogirl]

I have one (same location as Mr. Silver) and I've had it off & on since childhood. Yes, it flares up, gets painful, and then it will go away again. I've never had it treated, although I did try to self-medicate by thumping it with a bible and squishing it. Alas, I digress.

Anyways, in all the years I've been performing bike fit and coaching cyclists, I have never had a client who complained of ganglion cysts related to cycling (not to say that it can't happen).

Lorri

[Blueberry]

I had about 5 pop up when I took the bar exam, bought a house and moved within 3 weeks (think that was a little stress?!). I was terrified I had cancer (it was logical at the time). They went away on their own (no aspiration necessary).

So...I'd echo what others have said - perhaps try bike fitting and different gloves, to see if the problem lessens. I truly can't find where mine are/were anymore. They went away as suddenly as they arrived.

Good luck!

CA

[Cindyloo]

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and comments. I actually haven't been able to ride my bike for a few months because of the cysts. I tried padded gloves with additional padding stuffed inside but I tended to still avoid the pressure by resting on the area of my palm near the wrist.

I have been through a bike fitting and my bike seems to fit well however my core strength is lacking causing me to "rest" a little too much on the bars.

Mr. Silver, you have got me rethinking the whole surgery option! I have been concerned about stiffness in my fingers following surgery. I think if I tried smashing one I would faint before the bible made contact .

[maillotpois]

I have a few of these in high school and college - always on the top side of the hand/wrist. They always went away with the good hard smash with a book.

After I had my daughter (almost 12 years ago), I got one that wouldn't go away at all. (As CA notes, maybe it was stress - I had been unemployed while pregnant, got a job, gave birth, etc.). Anyway, the book didn't work and aspiration was worthless and it was right back so I opted for surgery.

The surgery was great (other than the fact I am allergic to any sort of anaesthesia and always throw up as they wake me up ). I have had no lingering effects at all - the only sign of any issue is a small scar. And I like scars!

I just want to throw that out to let you know the surgery doesn't have to come with ROM side effects, etc. The fact yours in on the palm side sure suggests to me it would be more painful than mine while it is there. And perhaps the doctor might suggest some PT type exercises after it's healed to prevent any sort of movement restrictions.

And I had ALL my ganglions before I ever set my butt on a bike. Since I started riding, I have had not a one. So maybe it's the cause of yours - but then again maybe not. Everyone's (including mine) anecdotal evidence is interesting, but really doesn't get to the root of the cause of yours. But it's really nothing to worry about, anyway. It's a minor thing, and whether you deal with it with a book or a needle or go under the knife, you're likely to be fine.