"* Immobilization: Ganglion cysts can increase in size and cause more pain because of hand movement. You may choose to wait for the cyst to decrease in size while wearing a wrist splint or brace to immobilize the area. The splint helps your hand to rest, which may reduce the size of the cyst.
    * Aspiration: This procedure involves draining the fluid from the cyst. The doctor applies a local anesthetic above the cyst, then punctures it with a needle. He then uses a syringe to drain the fluid from the base of the cyst. The procedure is quite simple and can be done in the doctor's office.
      Research shows that up to 74 percent of patients are cured after an aspiration procedure. Cysts, however, may recur after some time. In fact, the recurrence rate for aspiration can be as high as 80 percent. You can have the procedure repeated if the cyst recurs. Studies show that having the fluid drawn out three times increases the possibility of being cured to 85 percent with a cyst on the back of the hand."

**********   That last sentence caught my eye.   *********************
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