What is a Bible Cyst?
Recently, I had a strange lump on my wrist. It did not hurt, but it did concern me. I learned I had a ganglion cyst.
A Ganglion cyst — also known as a Bible cyst — is a tumor or swelling on the top of a joint or the covering of a tendon. It looks like a bony like bump on the hand or wrist. It may feel firm or spongy and is not harmful. In fact, my doctor told me not to worry about it, and that no treatment was necessary. They told me that if I did want it removed, they could remove it through surgery, but that it would probably come back.
Bible cysts are very common in women, and usually occur on the back of the hand, at the wrist or even on the palm side of the hand. Other places they occur are on the outside of the knee or ankle or on the foot.
The ganglion cyst got its nickname of “Bible cyst” because back in the old days, the cure for one was for the doctor to whack your wrist with a bible while you held your hand or wrist flat on a table. That cure is actually effective for the spongy ones, though I’d recommend you see your doctor if it worries you or is painful in any way.
August 7th, 2006 at 10:44 pm
I was diagnosed with a bible cyst today. What the dr told me is exactly what this article states. I wonder how these things form? She said it consisted of body fluid, but not pus.
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August 31st, 2006 at 6:57 am
I just (8weeks ago today) had my ganglion removed from my left wrist, I had been ignoring it for 20yrs. It would come and go. I had one on right wrist but it went away. But the left this year got worse and worse, and it was time to do something when could hardley bend my wrist and it pained all the time.
It is still hurting after 8 weeks , and I can’t load my wrist at all, but the movement is better.
You can see my story at http://www.geoffreysweeney.com/wrist-ganglion-removed
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May 9th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
today i was diegnosit with a “bible cyst” and it was causing me pain so my doctor told me to go to an orthipedic and they will drain it. if it dosen’t go away by the third drain they will have to opperate.
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May 10th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Usually the operations are not that painful, Jaymers. You should be ok. And, I’ll be surprised if they have to operate…if it is a true bible cyst, it will drain.
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July 10th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
OK … I had to post. I had my wrist looked at by my family doctor today. He gave me the term Bible Cyst and I looked it up and found this site. I had tried to push a pin through it which did nothing. So I had my 12 yr old son grab our Webster dictionary and give the bumb a whack. It work with no pain. He didn’t even hit it that hard. Gone… just like that. That was way to easy….. Now I’m questioning why my doctor couldn’t just offer that. I’m convinced he has never seen it done. If it comes back. So what…. that took 10 seconds to fix.
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July 11th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Well, Mark, I’m glad you got some relief! Gotta love Websters!
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September 22nd, 2008 at 10:07 am
Wow, skidmark, a noble attempt but all you did was make it burst & the fluid go into your wrist. Ouch.
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