Herndon Reston injury lawyer Doug Landau asks that you not “throw the book at Bible Bumps”
Having represented clients with carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel and ganglion cysts, he has seen all manner of treatments and therapies. However, even his own sister went for traditional surgery rather than going to “the good book” for treatment of her own “Bible bump.”
According to wikipedia, “Ganglion Cysts reflect a variation in normal joint or tendon sheath function. Cysts near joints are connected to the joint and the leading theory is that a type of check valve forms that allows fluid out of the joint, but not back in. The cyst contains clear fluid similar to, but thicker than normal synovial fluid. They are most often found around the wrist joint, especially at the scapho-lunate joint, which accounts for 80% of all ganglion cysts. As with many other hand conditions, some speculate that arm use can increase the risk of ganglion formation but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, and it may unfairly stigmatize arm use.
If a ganglion cyst is symptomatic, it can be managed by aspiration or excision. Aspiration of the cyst is the simpler of the two procedures, but cysts recur in more than 50% of cases. With surgery, the recurrence rate is reduced to only 5 to 10% if the check valve at the joint capsule is removed. Arthroscopy of the wrist is becoming available as an alternative to open excision of ganglion cysts. During arthroscopy, the origin of the cyst can be seen within the joint.
One traditional (but not recommended) method of treating a ganglion cyst was to strike the lump with a large, heavy book, causing the cyst to rupture and drain into the surrounding tissues. Since even the poorest households often possessed a Bible (referring to the large family Bibles), this was commonly used, which led to the nicknaming of ganglion cysts as “Bible Bumps” or “Gideon’s Disease.” This treatment has a high recurrence rate and is no longer recommended.” So, don’t go “throwing the good book” at your ganglion cysts; seek a qualified orthopedic specialist or hand surgeon who can appropriately treat this condition.