In trying something new for one injury, I seemed to help another

I wrote a column a few months ago about gaining a ganglion cyst on my right pointer finger when I dropped a six-by-six wooden beam on it by accident.

While it thankfully doesn’t bother me much anymore, I know that sometimes gentle compression can help a cyst shrink, or at least not get any larger. Since it’s at the base of my finger, a traditional wrap would be difficult to use, so I did a little thinking outside of the box and ordered a pair of fingerless compression gloves, often used for arthritis. The gloves were inexpensive, so I figured I didn’t have much to lose by trying them. I had no idea if they’d help, but I decided, why not?

After they arrived, I put one on my right hand. It was snug but not tight, and I didn’t find it uncomfortable. I figured I’d wear it for a bit while I did some household chores and see how it felt.

Recommended Reading

August 22, 2025 News by Steve Bryson, PhD

Reduced brain blood flow linked to dizziness in hypermobile EDS

A helpful tool?

With my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), I deal with tight muscles daily. The right side of my body has many more injuries than my left, and my right hand has a good bit going on by itself. Not only do I have the cyst on my pointer finger, but I also have six screws and a plate in my right ring finger, courtesy of a freak accident that gave me a dislocated spiral fracture a few years back. While it was surgically repaired as well as possible, the damage was extensive, and it’s never been quite right since.

As a result, my hand tends to get tight, and my fingers will sometimes curl a bit more than usual even when relaxed.

One surprising upside to the compression glove was that when I took it off, my hand seemed much looser and my fingers a good bit straighter than before I put it on. Could the extra support from the compression allow my muscles to relax and not work so hard to stay in their correct position? Seems possible. While I’m not sure why, I’ll definitely take any noninvasive relief I can, and simply wearing a glove for a few hours qualifies.

While I’ve always found wraps or compression clothes to be helpful when I have a bruise or swelling, I’ve never considered the possibility that they may (or may not) help more chronic injuries. Although my cyst hasn’t decreased in size (it was worth a try, right?), I did find an unexpected upside and a way to help another old EDS injury.

I’ll definitely have to keep this experience in mind if there are other times when compression might come in handy.

Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.