What are Heberden's nodes? Heberden's nodes are small, pea-sized bony growths that occur on the joint closest to the tip of the finger, also called the distal interphalangeal joint. Heberden's nodes are a symptom of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand.
Heberden's nodes are hard bony lumps in the joints of your fingers. They are typically a symptom of osteoarthritis. The lumps grow on the joint closest to the tip of your finger, called the distal interphalangeal, or DIP joint.
The damage to the joint might result in growth of new bone along the sides of the existing bone (bone spurs), which can produce noticeable lumps on your thumb joint.
Symptoms of Bone Spurs
Pain in the affected joint. Pain or stiffness when you try to bend or move the affected joint.
By making small incisions in the hand, surgeons can use minimally invasive techniques to remove bone spurs. Repair surgery is effective and has a high success rate. Some persons may even need joint replacement or joint fusion surgery. Doctors may opt to replace the damaged joint or fuse the bones.
Also known as osteophytes, bone spurs tend to grow where bone meets bone, and some people feel no symptoms at all. However, if left untreated, bone spurs contribute to spinal stenosis, which develops when your spinal canal narrows and pinches your nerves.
Bony bumps on the middle joint of the finger are known as Bouchard's nodes. Bony bumps are also common at the base of the thumb. These bumps do not have a nickname, but the joint is called the CMC or carpometacarpal joint. The name comes from the bone of the wrist (carpal) and the bone of the thumb (metacarpal).
Ganglion cyst—a cyst or hard lump forming from joints or tendons. Carpal boss—a mass of bone on the back of the hand. Dupuytren's contracture—a lump in the palm of the hand formed by toughened tissue. Heberden's nodes—bony growths at the fingertip joint due to osteoarthritis.
Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes are small, swollen bumps that grow on the joints of your finger. Heberden's nodes appear on the joint closest to the fingertip, and Bouchard's nodes appear on the middle joint of the finger. This swelling is a telltale sign of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition.
Bunions, for example, are commonly confused with bone spurs. Although the two may appear similar, there are a few key differences. All foot pain is manageable, but not in the same way.
By stage IV, bone spurs, narrowed joint space, and even joint dislocation may be seen. Although X-rays are important, radiographic staging of the disease does not predict the severity of symptoms or guide treatment.
The most common symptom of thumb basal joint arthritis is a deep, aching pain at the base of the thumb. The pain is often worsened with activities that involve any pinching movements such as opening jars, turning door knobs, and handwriting. As the disease progresses, patients may experience pain at rest and at night.
A ganglion cyst usually looks like a lump or bump on your wrist, finger or foot. This lump may look symmetrical (round) or misshapen (more like an oval). A ganglion cyst sits just below the skin's surface. It may look like a bubble blown from a joint.
Bone tumors develop when cells within a bone divide uncontrollably, forming a lump or mass of abnormal tissue. Most bone tumors are benign (not cancerous). Benign tumors are usually not life-threatening and, in most cases, will not spread to other parts of the body.
Ganglion cysts
A retinacular cyst is a type of ganglion cyst. These hard, pea-sized lumps usually form at the base of your fingers. They're usually not painful, nor do they impede movement. Ganglion cysts appear and disappear quickly and can change shape.
Signs and Symptoms
Prominent bone spurs also may cause a visible lump under the skin which is hard to the touch and not mobile like a ganglion cyst would be.
Heberden's nodes typically develop in middle age, beginning either with a chronic swelling of the affected joints or the sudden painful onset of redness, numbness, and loss of manual dexterity.
Ganglion cysts are very common lumps within the hand and wrist that occur adjacent to joints or tendons. The most common locations are the top of the wrist (see Figure 1), the palm side of the wrist, the base of the finger on the palm side, and the top of the end joint of the finger.
The signs and symptoms of Bouchard nodes include enlargement of the PIP joint, most often at the dorsolateral aspect. This may occur at one or multiple finger joints in either or both hands. These bony prominences may be painful or painless.
Bouchard's nodes are a sign of osteoarthritis. Although the cause of osteoarthritis is unclear, doctors consider it to be a sign of wear and tear in a joint. The cartilage of the joints breaks down, and as the joints become damaged, new bone develops around them.
Rheumatoid nodules are often benign and do not require treatment. However, if they are in certain locations — such as on a finger joint or a heel — they can cause problems. If the nodule is painful, infected, or in an inconvenient location, a doctor can surgically remove it.
Bone spurs look like hard lumps under the skin and can make the joints in the fingers appear knobby. Shoulder. Bone spurs can rub against the rotator cuff, which controls shoulder movement. This can lead to shoulder tendinitis and can even tear the rotator cuff.
Stage 1: Minor
Stage 1 OA shows itself with a very minor bone spur growth. Bone spurs are growths that develop where bones meet inside a joint. Someone with stage 1 OA is unlikely to experience any pain or discomfort.
Most bone spurs cause no symptoms and can go undetected for years. They might not require treatment. If treatment is needed, it depends on where spurs are located and how they affect your health.