Ganglion cysts are one of the most common masses to develop on the foot and ankle. They are fluid filled sacs that protrude from a joint or tendon sheath. These lesions tend not to be painful unless they become large enough that they affect surrounding nerves or interfere with shoe gear. If you think you have a ganglion cyst it is important to have it evaluated as a definitive diagnosis is imperative to make sure the mass is not something malignant. When you come to your visit the podiatrist will exam the mass to determine its texture, mobility and location. Ganglion cysts tend to be soft, mobile and near a joint or tendon. In most cases ganglion cysts can be aspirated or drained to deflate the lesion and get a sample of the fluid inside to send to pathology to confirm the diagnosis of ganglion cyst. In some cases when a cyst is drained is does not return but in other instances it can fill back up and return. When you have a recurrent cyst sometimes it needs to excised to remove not only the fluid but also the sac.