advice for the uninsured

March 13, 2010 12:16 PM

I've developed a slightly painful bump on the top of my left foot. I don't have any insurance. What to do?

On Monday, I noticed that a slight pain in my left foot when moved in certain positions. I did a ton of walking last weekend so didn't think much of it, but when I felt around yesterday, I noticed a small bump beneath the skin. It feels like it's between the metatarsus and dorsal bones, so it's closer to my ankle than toes. It seems to be slightly hard - not rock hard, but… like a pea. It hurts a little bit when I press on it, and doesn't cause much discomfort (no pain when walking, though I can kind of feel it there, sometimes when I move my foot it feels like that feeling you get when you pop your knuckles).

Some googling tells me it might be a Ganglion Cyst, for which surgery is recommended. I can't pay for surgery. I know YANMD, but what I would like to know is:

- If there is a good chance it might be a Ganglion Cyst, what would happen if I leave it alone? Will it get bigger? Go away? Cause more pain? Are there more serious complications?

- Can I really smash it with a book? How hard? I normally walk a lot so I'd like to not damage my other bones and tendons in the area…

- If I were to go see a doctor about it and have it removed/drained/etc, do you know about how much it would cost without insurance?

- What else could it be?

(I am a 30 year old female in otherwise very good health.)

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (10 answers total)

I am very not-a-doctor, but my sister has had a recurring ganglion cyst on her wrist for at least seven years. It slowly fills with liquid, gets uncomfortable, she has it drained. (No idea how much that would cost without insurance, sorry.) A couple times our father (who is a doctor, but not of a relevant type) smashed it, and a couple times it got smashed when she was doing gymnastics. Each time it would disappear for a few months and slowly come back.

If it is a ganglion cyst, I suspect having it drained is cheaper than full surgery, but not if you have to keep doing a couple times a year--though it may be a reasonable stop-gap til you can get insurance.
posted by hippugeek at 12:25 PM on March 13, 2010

Ha! I've had a ganglion cyst on my wrist (actually two inches above) for 30 years. I don't do anything with it, but it doesn't cause me any pain. Well just the pain of being imperfect. Also, my mother went to the doctor for a ganglion cyst and-- honest to god-- he smashed it with a book. But they worked together and he didn't bill her.

My advice is: watch and wait. If it doesn't hurt and it doesn't get any bigger, then just let it go, but I would most definitely pay for an office visit if it bothers you or it starts growing.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 12:37 PM on March 13, 2010

IANAD. Presuming it is a ganglion cyst, in the first place, there are still significant differences between having one on/near your hand, and on/near your foot. Not to over state the obvious, but our feet are often bound, for hours, in footwear, and moreover, our feet are generally below our hearts, which leads to rapid refill of anatomical anomalies in our lower extremities by ECF. So, ganglion cyst, or suspect, on the hand -> live with it, a few weeks, or benignly, indefinitely. But, ganglion cyst, or suspect, on the foot -> have a doc check it, and see what can be done to manage it going forward, before you develop blisters/infections, a gait change, sore back and legs, and/or other secondary problems.
posted by paulsc at 12:54 PM on March 13, 2010 [1 favorite]

I wonder if that's what the weird little bump on the front of my ankle is? It's small, but doesn't hurt unless I poke it.
posted by sarcasticah at 1:25 PM on March 13, 2010

I have one in my right wrist and it hurts when I need to put a lot of pressure onto my wrist via my palm (push-up, pressing on someones back, etc...) but outside of that it really isn't problem. I had it drained once and it came back immediately so I just don't bother.

Enjoy your new buddy but don't let it concern you unless it's causing you constant pain in everyday life.
posted by zombieApoc at 1:57 PM on March 13, 2010

Can I really smash it with a book? How hard?

Yes
and
yes

If this is something new, I would wait a bit before smashing as yet undetermined bumps.
posted by P.o.B. at 2:15 PM on March 13, 2010 [1 favorite]

I'm the guy on here who says the same thing to everybody who asks a similar medical question. Nobody here is competent to answer your question, because even those who have the necessary training can't see, touch or manipulate the injury/disease you are describing. Therefore, you need to go to a low-cost clinic or a family doctor and discuss not only your symptoms but also your financial situation. You will get a low-cost diagnosis and a plan for dealing with the problem. Don't worry about surgery or expensive drugs or cures until a doctor has looked at it. If it goes away by itself (which is possible) before you get to see the doctor. all the better.
posted by Old Geezer at 3:16 PM on March 13, 2010 [1 favorite]

I had a ganglion cyst. I asked a doctor to smash it with a book, and he declined (hitting me with a book might injure a bone or something else). I could have kept it forever with no medical problems, but chose to have surgery to have it removed (with insurance, and I don't remember the cost).

But, if I were you, I'd go to a doctor for a quick diagnosis. Without insurance, a doctor's visit costs about $100, and if that is out of reach surely there is a doctor in your area who works with low-income people?
posted by Houstonian at 3:42 PM on March 13, 2010

try going to the health department, or call the health department to find out if there is a low-cost clinic in your area. like, where I used to live, there was a grant-funded judeo-christian coalition health clinic. the main thing you need is to have at least a day to kill, because if clinic starts at, say, 6 p.m., you need to be there by noon or a little after to secure a slot.
posted by toodleydoodley at 6:26 PM on March 13, 2010

My daughter thought she had a ganglion cyst in her ankle for years. It turned out to be a tumor that required surgery and now, four weeks of radiation. Give it a few days, don't smash it with a book or anything else, and figure out a way to see a doctor.
posted by tamitang at 8:06 PM on March 13, 2010 [1 favorite]