Lumps - bumps and ganglia
NHS Tayside RefGuide
Warning
Who to refer
- Diagnostic uncertainty
- Those with recurrence of ganglion after aspiration / injection, or if this is not able to be done in GP practice.
How to refer
SCI Gateway/Orthopaedics/Foot & Ankle Service.
Referrals will be vetted by an AHP and directed to most appropriate professional.
Information to include when referring
- Duration and any cause of symptoms
- Indicate site/spread of lump and if causing constant or intermittent pain, and/or waking at night
- Include treatment to date
- Any imaging results.
Summary
- The Foot and Ankle are just as likely to develop a benign or malignant lump as any other part of the body.
- All soft tissue lumps should be assessed carefully, and management is determined by the physical characteristics of the lump.
- A solid lump is a malignant tumour until proven otherwise. Referral – urgent suspected cancer – is recommended.
- A small cystic lump is likely to be a ganglion and if it is problematic may be treated by aspiration/injection.
Primary Care diagnostics
- In cases of uncertainty, consider XR, diagnostic ultrasound.