Objective To investigate the self-made classification criterion for mucous cysts of distal interphalangeal joint and the effectiveness of the surgical treatment. Methods Between July 2008 and August 2015, 33 patients with mucous cysts of distal interphalangeal joint were treated, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Among 33 cases, 15 were male and 18 were female, aged from 45 to 74 years (mean, 58 years). The disease duration ranged from 3 weeks to 1 year (mean, 5 months). The cyst located at thumb in 18 cases, index finger in 4 cases, middle finger in 6 cases, ring finger in 4 cases, and little finger in 1 case. According to location, mucous cysts were typed: proximity to one side of the finger extensor tendon and deviation from the midline of the finger named lateral type (22 cases); and at both sides of the finger extensor tendon named intermediate type (11 cases). The bilateral digital dorsal incision was made in the intermediate type patients, and the reverse L-shaped incision was made in the lateral type patients, then the degenerative tissue was resected, the osteophyte was removed, and the capsule was repaired; finally, mucous cysts were resected. Results All the patients were followed up 4 months to 2 years (mean, 14.5 months). The incision healed by first intention without infection after operation. Clinical symptoms obtained improvement and no recurrence was observed in 29 patients except 4 patients who died of other diseases during follow-up. Conclusion A surgical treatment for mucous cysts of distal interphalangeal joint is feasible according to the self-made classification criterion and it has the advantage of simple operation and definite effectiveness.