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- Hand: Atypical Rheumatoid Nodules
- Hand: Atypical Rheumatoid Nodules
- Health and Quality of Life Outcomes: Tophi and Frequent Gout Flares Are Associated With impairments to Quality of Life, Productivity, and Increased Healthcare Resource Use
- Health and Quality of Life Outcomes: Tophi and Frequent Gout Flares Are Associated With impairments to Quality of Life, Productivity, and Increased Healthcare Resource Use
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Arthritic Bumps on the Knuckles
Arthritis is a category of diseases marked by pain and swelling in the joints. In fact, the word "arthritis" means inflammation of the joints. Such pain and swelling can be caused by the wear and tear of osteoarthritis, the autoimmune response of rheumatoid arthritis, or the metabolic dysfunction of gout. Red, swollen bumps near the knuckles and other joints are a common feature of arthritis.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Heberden Nodes
The pain, stiffness and swelling of osteoarthritis occur in joints that have experienced heavy use. These problems can affect large joints, such as the knee, hip or shoulder, or the small joints of the fingers. Stiffness is generally worse with repeated use and better with rest. Heberden nodes are small, red nodules that occur at the last joint of the finger. They may deform the joint, creating the knobby knuckles and twisted fingers of severe OA.
- The pain, stiffness and swelling of osteoarthritis occur in joints that have experienced heavy use.
- These problems can affect large joints, such as the knee, hip or shoulder, or the small joints of the fingers.
Bouchard Nodes
Stiff Pinkie Fingers
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Bouchard nodes are similar to Heberden nodes. These growths are found at the middle joints of the finger, just above the Heberden nodes. While Heberden nodes are found only in OA, Bouchard nodes can be found in both OA and rheumatoid arthritis. These nodes can be very painful or cause no pain at all.
- Bouchard nodes are similar to Heberden nodes.
- While Heberden nodes are found only in OA, Bouchard nodes can be found in both OA and rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid Nodules
Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by pain, stiffness and swelling in bilateral wrist and finger joints. It can create significant deformity over time. The pain and stiffness are generally worse at the beginning of the day and improve with gentle movement. Rheumatoid nodules are bumps beneath the skin that occur on the forearms and both sides of the hands 1. About 25 percent of people with RA have these nodules.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by pain, stiffness and swelling in bilateral wrist and finger joints.
- The pain and stiffness are generally worse at the beginning of the day and improve with gentle movement.
Tophi
Bump on the Finger Joint
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Gout is an extremely painful disease characterized by joint stiffness and swellings known as tophi, felt as small bumps under the skin. Gout can affect any joint, but typically occurs in the big toe. Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood, usually due to an inability to break down purine, an amino acid found in meat, alcohol and some fish. Uric acid forms crystals, which tend to deposit in the toes and feet. Although gouty tophi commonly appear in the big toe, they are also found in the elbow, fingers and even such unlikely places as the ears and vocal cords.
- Gout is an extremely painful disease characterized by joint stiffness and swellings known as tophi, felt as small bumps under the skin.
- Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood, usually due to an inability to break down purine, an amino acid found in meat, alcohol and some fish.
Related Articles
References
- Hand: Atypical Rheumatoid Nodules
- Health and Quality of Life Outcomes: Tophi and Frequent Gout Flares Are Associated With impairments to Quality of Life, Productivity, and Increased Healthcare Resource Use
- Arthritis Foundation. When hand or wrist pain may mean arthritis.
- Rees F, Doherty S, Hui M, et al. Distribution of finger nodes and their association with underlying radiographic features of osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012;64(4):533-8. doi:10.1002/acr.21586
- Merck Manual. Osteoarthritis of the hand. Updated May 2020.
- Arthritis Foundation. What is osteoarthritis?
- Zhang Y, Jordan JM. Epidemiology of osteoarthritis. Clin Geriatr Med. 2010;26(3):355–369. doi:10.1016/j.cger.2010.03.001
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. Rheumatoid arthritis. Updated August 2020.
- Cleveland Clinic. Gout and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease.
- Arthritis Foundation. Osteoarthritis of the hand.
Writer Bio
Stephanie Draus is a naturopathic doctor and assistant professor of clinical sciences at National University of Health Sciences. She has practiced in Chicago as a health consultant since 2005. She is a graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon.