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Heberden's nodes

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Hard nodules or bony swellings which develop around the distal interphalangeal joints. 2nd and 3rd finger most often affected, produced by calcific spurs of the articular cartilage at the base of the terminal phalanges in osteorthritis. More common in females; onset in middle life. Swelling at distal interphalangeal joints, which may develop unnoticed for years; or abrupt painful onset, with redness, paresthesia, and clumsiness. Followed by articular deformity and limitation of motion. When nodes are in juxtaphalangeal position, they are called Bouchards’s nodes. Sex-linked inheritance; dominant in females; recessive in males or secondary to trauma. They are regarded as a concomitant of degenerative osteo-arthropathy and are age-related.

More common in females; onset in middle life. Swelling at distal interphalangeal joints, which may develop unnoticed for years; or abrupt painful onset, with redness, paresthesia, and clumsiness. Followed by articular deformity and limitation of motion. When nodes are in juxtaphalangeal position, they are called Bouchards, nodes.

We thank Jim Schaefer for correcting an error.

Bibliography

  • W. Heberden:
    De nodis digitorum.
    In his: Commentarii de morborum historia et curatione. London, 1802 Commentaries on the History and Cure of Diseases.
    London, T. Payne, News-gate, 1802.
  • O. Rosenbach:
    Die Auftreibung der Endphalangen der Finger, eine bisher noch nicht beschriebene trophische Störung.
    Centralblatt für Nervenheilkunde; 1890, 13: 191-205.

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