Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Heberden’s nodesare small bony growths on the finger joints closest to the tip (thedistal interphalangeal jointor DIP).

Heberden’s nodes are a common sign of osteoarthritis (OA). They may or may not be painful depending on the stage of development they are in.

Treatments for Heberden’s nodes include laser therapy, splints, and pain relievers. Ice, heat, and physical therapy can also be effective. Some people may opt for surgery.

rudisill / Getty Images

A hand with osteoarthritis with Heberden’s Nodes

Can Finger Arthritis Be Cured?

Heberden’s nodes are more common on the fingers of a person’s dominant hand. They occur more often in women than in men.

The signs of developingHeberden’s nodeusually start aroundmenopausefor women and in middle age for men. Developing these nodes is a classic sign of osteoarthritis.

People may experience pain while the nodes are developing and growing. The pain and inflammation usually get better within a few years and, once fully formed, they typically do not hurt.

Heberden’s nodes may develop on one side of the finger joint only, causing the fingertip to curve sideways, instead of straight out. This can further limit range of motion and functionality.

Heberden’s vs. Bouchard’s NodesHeberden’s nodes are bony bumps on the joints closest to the fingertips, whileBouchard’s nodesare bony bumps on the middle joints of the fingers.

Heberden’s vs. Bouchard’s Nodes

Heberden’s nodes are bony bumps on the joints closest to the fingertips, whileBouchard’s nodesare bony bumps on the middle joints of the fingers.

What Causes Pain and Swelling in Finger Joints?

Causes of Heberden’s Nodes

Heberden’s nodes often develop in people with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hands.OA is a condition in which joint cartilage gradually wears away. Without cartilage, the bones in the joints rub together and become damaged over time.

There is no single cause of finger OA and Heberden’s nodes, however, certainrisk factorsincrease the chances of development. These include:

When To Seek Medical CareConsult a healthcare provider if you:Have swelling, pain, or stiffness in your handsSee bumps at the joint nearest your fingertipsHave difficulty performing tasks that require full range of motion in your fingers/handsNotice any changes in your hands or fingers that concern you

When To Seek Medical Care

Consult a healthcare provider if you:Have swelling, pain, or stiffness in your handsSee bumps at the joint nearest your fingertipsHave difficulty performing tasks that require full range of motion in your fingers/handsNotice any changes in your hands or fingers that concern you

Consult a healthcare provider if you:

A healthcare provider will usually diagnose Heberden’s nodes based on:

X-raysmay be ordered to look for worn cartilage or bone spurs.

What Causes Bone Spurs in the Hand?

How Heberden’s Nodes Are Treated

There is no set treatment for Heberden’s nodes. Options are similar to the treatments recommended for people with arthritis of the hands.

A 2016 study of people with Bouchard’s nodes, Heberden’s nodes, and osteoarthritis found that having five to seven treatments withlow-level laser therapy (LLLT)reduced pain and swelling. Some people could also move the affected finger better.

Heberden’s nodes can cause pain while they are forming. Some strategies that reduce pain and slow or prevent disability include:

Osteoarthritis Diet: Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid

A 2020 study of women with hand OA found that wearing hand supports calledorthosesat night helped reduce pain and improve hand function.

Hand Physical Therapy for Arthritis

Will I Need Surgery?

Surgery for Heberden’s nodes is only done if a person’s symptoms don’t get better or they cannot use their finger at all. Sometimes, surgery can replace the joint. A surgeon can also take out the inflamed parts of the joint and put the joint back together. This is called joint fusion.

The good news is that once the bony node has formed, the pain goes away. However, range of motion, grip strength, and overall functionality can be limited.

Summary

There is no way to simply fix the appearance of nodes. However, if a person has Heberden’s nodes because they have hand OA, joint surgery might help fingers function better.

Can You Prevent Hand Arthritis?

Learn MoreIs Arthritis Inherited?

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may have swelling and redness from the inflammation in the finger joints when the condition flares up.However, Heberden’s nodes typically are not a sign of RA. The exception is when people develop osteoarthritis and RA.Learn MoreEarly Signs of RA

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may have swelling and redness from the inflammation in the finger joints when the condition flares up.However, Heberden’s nodes typically are not a sign of RA. The exception is when people develop osteoarthritis and RA.

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may have swelling and redness from the inflammation in the finger joints when the condition flares up.

However, Heberden’s nodes typically are not a sign of RA. The exception is when people develop osteoarthritis and RA.

Learn MoreEarly Signs of RA

There is not enough evidence to support claims that these supplements protect all joints. The American College of Rheumatology recommends that some people with hand arthritis take chondroitin supplements. However, you should talk to your doctor before you try them.Learn MoreAre There Supplements for Arthritis?

There is not enough evidence to support claims that these supplements protect all joints. The American College of Rheumatology recommends that some people with hand arthritis take chondroitin supplements. However, you should talk to your doctor before you try them.

Learn MoreAre There Supplements for Arthritis?

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Allado E, Wittoek R, Albuisson E, et al.Topographical analysis of structural lesions between dominant and non-dominant hands in erosive osteoarthritis.Rheumatol Int. 2021;41(3):617-623. doi:10.1007/s00296-020-04784-1National Institute on Aging.Osteoarthritis.Dobson GP, Letson HL, Grant A, et al.Defining the osteoarthritis patient: back to the future.Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2018;26(8):1003-1007. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2018.04.018Osteoarthritis (OA) Action Alliance.OA Pathogenesis and Risk Factors.Baltzer AW, Ostapczuk MS, Stosch D.Positive effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on Bouchard’s and Heberden’s osteoarthritis.Lasers Surg Med. 2016;48(5):498-504. doi:10.1002/lsm.22480Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis of the hands.Arthritis Foundation.The Ultimate Arthritis Diet.Silva PG, de Carvalho Silva F, da Rocha Corrêa Fernandes A, Natour J.Effectiveness of nighttime orthoses in controlling pain for women with hand osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.Am J Occup Ther. 2020;74(3):7403205080p1-7403205080p10. doi:10.5014/ajot.2020.033621American Society for Surgery of Hand.Osteoarthritis.Thomas S, Browne H, Mobasheri A, Rayman MP.What is the evidence for a role for diet and nutrition in osteoarthritis?Rheumatology (Oxford). 2018;57(suppl_4):iv61-iv74. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/key011Creakyjoints.org.Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis.Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al.2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee[published correction appears inArthritis Rheumatol. 2021 May;73(5):799].Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020;72(2):220-233. doi:10.1002/art.41142

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Allado E, Wittoek R, Albuisson E, et al.Topographical analysis of structural lesions between dominant and non-dominant hands in erosive osteoarthritis.Rheumatol Int. 2021;41(3):617-623. doi:10.1007/s00296-020-04784-1National Institute on Aging.Osteoarthritis.Dobson GP, Letson HL, Grant A, et al.Defining the osteoarthritis patient: back to the future.Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2018;26(8):1003-1007. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2018.04.018Osteoarthritis (OA) Action Alliance.OA Pathogenesis and Risk Factors.Baltzer AW, Ostapczuk MS, Stosch D.Positive effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on Bouchard’s and Heberden’s osteoarthritis.Lasers Surg Med. 2016;48(5):498-504. doi:10.1002/lsm.22480Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis of the hands.Arthritis Foundation.The Ultimate Arthritis Diet.Silva PG, de Carvalho Silva F, da Rocha Corrêa Fernandes A, Natour J.Effectiveness of nighttime orthoses in controlling pain for women with hand osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.Am J Occup Ther. 2020;74(3):7403205080p1-7403205080p10. doi:10.5014/ajot.2020.033621American Society for Surgery of Hand.Osteoarthritis.Thomas S, Browne H, Mobasheri A, Rayman MP.What is the evidence for a role for diet and nutrition in osteoarthritis?Rheumatology (Oxford). 2018;57(suppl_4):iv61-iv74. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/key011Creakyjoints.org.Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis.Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al.2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee[published correction appears inArthritis Rheumatol. 2021 May;73(5):799].Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020;72(2):220-233. doi:10.1002/art.41142

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Allado E, Wittoek R, Albuisson E, et al.Topographical analysis of structural lesions between dominant and non-dominant hands in erosive osteoarthritis.Rheumatol Int. 2021;41(3):617-623. doi:10.1007/s00296-020-04784-1National Institute on Aging.Osteoarthritis.Dobson GP, Letson HL, Grant A, et al.Defining the osteoarthritis patient: back to the future.Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2018;26(8):1003-1007. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2018.04.018Osteoarthritis (OA) Action Alliance.OA Pathogenesis and Risk Factors.Baltzer AW, Ostapczuk MS, Stosch D.Positive effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on Bouchard’s and Heberden’s osteoarthritis.Lasers Surg Med. 2016;48(5):498-504. doi:10.1002/lsm.22480Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis of the hands.Arthritis Foundation.The Ultimate Arthritis Diet.Silva PG, de Carvalho Silva F, da Rocha Corrêa Fernandes A, Natour J.Effectiveness of nighttime orthoses in controlling pain for women with hand osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.Am J Occup Ther. 2020;74(3):7403205080p1-7403205080p10. doi:10.5014/ajot.2020.033621American Society for Surgery of Hand.Osteoarthritis.Thomas S, Browne H, Mobasheri A, Rayman MP.What is the evidence for a role for diet and nutrition in osteoarthritis?Rheumatology (Oxford). 2018;57(suppl_4):iv61-iv74. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/key011Creakyjoints.org.Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis.Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al.2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee[published correction appears inArthritis Rheumatol. 2021 May;73(5):799].Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020;72(2):220-233. doi:10.1002/art.41142

Allado E, Wittoek R, Albuisson E, et al.Topographical analysis of structural lesions between dominant and non-dominant hands in erosive osteoarthritis.Rheumatol Int. 2021;41(3):617-623. doi:10.1007/s00296-020-04784-1

National Institute on Aging.Osteoarthritis.

Dobson GP, Letson HL, Grant A, et al.Defining the osteoarthritis patient: back to the future.Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2018;26(8):1003-1007. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2018.04.018

Osteoarthritis (OA) Action Alliance.OA Pathogenesis and Risk Factors.

Baltzer AW, Ostapczuk MS, Stosch D.Positive effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on Bouchard’s and Heberden’s osteoarthritis.Lasers Surg Med. 2016;48(5):498-504. doi:10.1002/lsm.22480

Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis of the hands.

Arthritis Foundation.The Ultimate Arthritis Diet.

Silva PG, de Carvalho Silva F, da Rocha Corrêa Fernandes A, Natour J.Effectiveness of nighttime orthoses in controlling pain for women with hand osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.Am J Occup Ther. 2020;74(3):7403205080p1-7403205080p10. doi:10.5014/ajot.2020.033621

American Society for Surgery of Hand.Osteoarthritis.

Thomas S, Browne H, Mobasheri A, Rayman MP.What is the evidence for a role for diet and nutrition in osteoarthritis?Rheumatology (Oxford). 2018;57(suppl_4):iv61-iv74. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/key011

Creakyjoints.org.Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis.

Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al.2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee[published correction appears inArthritis Rheumatol. 2021 May;73(5):799].Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020;72(2):220-233. doi:10.1002/art.41142

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