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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Heberden’s and Bouchard’s Nodes?

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Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes are bony growths that appear on the finger joints and are symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hands. The main differences between Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes are:

  • Location: Heberden's nodes appear on the joint closest to the fingertip, which is the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. Bouchard's nodes, on the other hand, appear on the middle joint of the finger, known as the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint.
  • Prevalence: Heberden's nodes are more common than Bouchard's nodes, with Bouchard nodes being less common and potentially indicating more severe osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes the protective cartilage at the ends of finger bones and joints to wear down over time. This wear and tear leads to the development of bone spurs (osteophytes) and the ends of the bones rubbing against each other, causing inflammation and the formation of Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes. Treatment for these nodes may include medication, hand therapy, and surgery in severe cases.

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  • What is the Difference Between Heberden’s and Bouchard’s Nodes?
  • Comparative Table: Heberden’s vs Bouchard’s Nodes

    • Comparative Table: Heberden’s vs Bouchard’s Nodes

    Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes are bony swellings that appear on the finger joints and are indicative of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease. Here is a table comparing the differences between the two:

    Feature Heberden's Nodes Bouchard's Nodes
    Location Distal interphalangeal joint (joint closest to the fingertip) Proximal interphalangeal joint (middle joint of the finger)
    Prevalence More common than Bouchard's nodes Less common than Heberden's nodes, associated with more severe arthritis
    Inflammation Due to friction-induced capsular rupture and synovial leakage Similar inflammation as Heberden's nodes, but less common
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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.