If your ganglion cyst is painful or is affecting how you move your hand (or foot), you can have it drained to reduce the swelling. This is called aspiration. A needle is used to puncture the cyst and the fluid is drained away. Aspiration is done under local anesthesia, so the skin over the area will be numb but you will stay awake. Aspiration reduces the swelling, but it's likely that your ganglion cyst will come back later.
Attribution: BUPA