“The team at Excel Clinic were professional from start to finish. I was seen within two weeks of my virtual consultation and was back at my desk three days later. Very happy with the result and the level of aftercare.”
Frequently Asked Questions
A ganglion cyst is a benign, fluid-filled lump that most commonly appears on the back of the wrist or hand. It is not cancerous and develops from the tissue surrounding a joint or tendon sheath. Ganglion cysts are the most common soft tissue lumps of the hand and wrist and are not dangerous, though they can cause pain, weakness, or cosmetic concern.
Ganglion cyst removal at Excel Clinic is priced on enquiry, with your all-inclusive fee confirmed after a free virtual consultation. One fixed price covers your surgery, anaesthetic, aftercare, and 6-week follow-up — no hidden costs. A pre-operative in-person consultation, if required, is charged at €150. Interest-free finance is available subject to eligibility.
Ganglion cyst removal takes 20–30 minutes under local anaesthetic. Your total time at Excel Clinic from arrival to discharge is approximately 60–90 minutes — no overnight stay is required.
Yes, some ganglion cysts resolve on their own. Aspiration (draining with a needle) is a non-surgical option but carries a recurrence rate of up to 50%. Surgical excision removes the cyst and its root, offering a more definitive solution with a recurrence rate of around 5–10%. Your surgeon will discuss the most appropriate option for you at consultation.
Surgery is recommended if the cyst is painful, growing, affecting your grip or wrist movement, compressing a nerve, or has returned after aspiration. If the cyst is small, painless, and not troubling you, watchful waiting is a reasonable option. A free virtual consultation with Dr Shaalan will confirm whether removal is appropriate for your situation.
No referral is needed. You can self-refer and book a free virtual consultation with our consulting doctor to discuss your symptoms and suitability for surgery.
HSE waiting times for elective hand surgery typically range from 18 months to over 2 years in many parts of Ireland. At Excel Clinic, surgery is available within 2–4 weeks of your free virtual consultation — with no GP referral required.
Most patients recover fully in 4–6 weeks. Days 1–7: keep dressing dry and rest the wrist. Weeks 2–3: return to keyboard work and light activities. Weeks 4–6: return to most daily and work activities. Months 2–3: full grip strength restored and scar fading in most patients.
Office and desk-based workers typically need 5–7 days off. Those in manual or physical roles may need 4–6 weeks depending on the demands of the job. Your surgeon will give you a specific return-to-work plan at your consultation.
You should not drive on the day of surgery. Most patients can resume driving within 10–14 days once the dressing is removed and they can grip the steering wheel safely and comfortably.
Aspiration is quicker and avoids an incision, but carries a recurrence rate of up to 50% as the root remains intact. Surgical excision removes the cyst and its stalk at the source, resulting in a recurrence rate of around 5–10%. If your cyst has already returned after aspiration, or is causing significant symptoms, surgery is usually the better long-term solution.
Recurrence after surgical excision is uncommon, at approximately 5–10% — significantly lower than aspiration. The risk is slightly higher for volar wrist ganglions (palm-side), which have a more complex root structure.
The procedure itself is not painful — local anaesthetic ensures you feel nothing during surgery. Post-operative discomfort is typically mild and well-managed with standard over-the-counter pain relief. Most patients find recovery more comfortable than anticipated.
Yes, where clinically appropriate. Our one-stop service combines your in-person assessment and surgery in a single visit — particularly useful for patients travelling from Co. Meath, Co. Louth, Kildare, or further afield. Suitability is confirmed at your free virtual consultation.
A mucous cyst is a type of ganglion cyst that develops at the end joint of the finger, close to the nail. It is benign and fluid-filled, and is almost always associated with underlying osteoarthritis of the finger joint. Mucous cysts are most common in patients over 50 and can cause nail ridging or deformity if left untreated.
A mucous cyst is a specific type of ganglion cyst, but it differs in location and cause. Standard ganglion cysts arise from the wrist or tendon sheath and can affect any age group. Mucous cysts arise from the end finger joint and are linked to osteoarthritis. Both are benign and treated by surgical excision, but mucous cyst surgery may also involve addressing underlying bone spurs to reduce recurrence.
Yes. A mucous cyst sits close to the nail root and can press on it, causing nail ridging, grooving, or abnormal nail growth. In most cases nail appearance improves after the cyst is removed, though this depends on how long the nail root has been affected. We will advise on the expected outcome for your specific case at consultation.
Nail appearance often improves significantly after mucous cyst removal, particularly if the cyst has not been present for too long. However, if the nail root has been compressed for an extended period, some permanent nail change may remain. Your surgeon will give you a realistic expectation based on your individual case.
Recovery after mucous cyst removal is similar to a standard ganglion excision — most patients are back to light activities within 1–2 weeks. The fingertip area requires careful wound care in the early days as the skin in this area can be delicate. Full healing typically takes 4–6 weeks.
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