Surgery versus home care for painful wrist ganglion
GangLion Resection Effectiveness Trial (GangLion): a Multicentre, Randomized, Superiority Trial
This trial will test whether surgery or simple home exercises and using the hand as tolerated helps adults with a painful wrist ganglion feel and function better over six months.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 220 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Tampere University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Helsinki and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07162415 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a multicenter, randomized trial enrolling adults with a painful wrist ganglion in Finland and Singapore to compare surgical excision (open or arthroscopic) with conservative care (self‑administered exercises and using the hand as tolerated). Participants are randomly assigned in equal groups and complete questionnaires on pain, wrist function, quality of life, satisfaction, and recovery at 3, 6, and 12 months, with the primary outcome at six months. The trial excludes people with other wrist pathology explaining their pain, prior wrist surgery, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and work‑related ganglions. Results will be published to inform treatment choices for patients with wrist ganglions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults over 18 with a clinically or imaging‑confirmed painful wrist ganglion who can complete Finnish or English questionnaires and have not had prior wrist surgery or a work‑related ganglion are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have another wrist condition that explains the pain, have had prior wrist surgery, or whose ganglion is from a work injury are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could show which approach gives better pain relief, improved wrist function, and higher patient satisfaction so clinicians and patients can choose the best treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies on ganglion treatment have been conflicting and randomized controlled data are scarce, so the true benefit of surgery versus conservative care is not yet proven.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * wrist pain located in the ganglion area * diagnosis of ganglion of the wrist, based on clinical examination or imaging findings * age over 18 years * ability to fill out the Finnish or English version of the questionnaires Exclusion Criteria: * pregnant or breast feeding * other known wrist pathology that likely explains the pain * previous surgical treatments of the wrist * wrist ganglion presumed to be related to a work injury
Where this trial is running
Helsinki and 3 other locations
- Helsinki University Hospital — Helsinki, Finland (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Hospital Nova of Central Finland — Jyväskylä, Finland (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Tampere University Hospital — Tampere, Finland (Recruiting)
- National University Hospital — Singapore, Singapore (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Lasse Linnanmäki, MD, PhD
- Email: lasse.linnanmaki@fimnet.fi
- Phone: +3583311611
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.