The main difference between Bouchard and Heberden Nodes is that Bouchard’s nodes are the bony bumps on the finger’s middle joint, whereas Heberden’s nodes are bony bumps closer to the finger’s fingernail.
Bouchard’s and Heberden’s nodes are two bony bumps in the fingers. These are signs of osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint disease.
Key Areas Covered
1. What are Bouchard’s Nodes
– Definition, Facts, Importance
2. What are Heberden’s Nodes
– Definition, Facts, Importance
3. Similarities Between Bouchard’s and Heberden’s Nodes
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Bouchard’s and Heberden’s Nodes
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Bouchard’s Nodes, Heberden’s Nodes
What are Bouchard’s Nodes
Bouchard’s nodes are nodules in the proximal interphalangeal joint, also known as the PIP joint. Typically, they are an indication of hand osteoarthritis. Also, they can be described as bony bumps on the middle finger joint that are swollen. They cause immobility and rigidity of the finger. Over time, they can be painful, leading to long-term deformity. Further, osteoarthritis in fingers can occur due to wear or tear, which causes excessive damage to the cartilage. The degradation of the cartilage results in rubbing in the adjacent bone, causing osteophytes on the joint, causing Bouchard nodes.
Figure 1: Bouchard’s Nodes
Furthermore, the risk factors of the Bouchard’s nodes include increasing age over 65, excessive, repetitive stress on the joints, and being assigned female at birth. Also, the signs and symptoms of Bouchard’s nodes include the swelling of the PIP joint at the dorsolateral aspect. They can be either painful or painless. Additionally, they can be grown over time, limiting the grip and motion of the finger.
What are Heberden’s Nodes
Heberden’s nodes are small bony growths appearing close to the tip of the finger. They are pea-sized and occur in the dorsal interphalangeal joint or DIP joint. Osteoarthritis in the hand is the common cause of Heberden’s nodes. It is a loss of cartilage in the hand, rubbing rough bony ends together. It causes inflammation in the capsule of the bone leading to pain. Also, it is a degenerative bone disease breaking down the cartilage and causing inflammation over time. Therefore, finger joints can become stiff and painful. In addition, osteoarthritis in the hand is common in half of females and 1 in 4 males by age 85.
Figure 2: Heberden’s Nodes
Moreover, the signs of advanced osteoarthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness, bumps at the end of the fingers, and loss of motion. Healthcare providers can diagnose Heberden’s node by X-ray. The two treatments for Heberden’s nodes include non-drug and drug treatments. In non-drug therapies, the hands can be rested, wear a splint or orthotic device, use heat and cold therapy, and exercise the hand. In comparison, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroid injections can be used in drug treatments.
Similarities Between Bouchard’s and Heberden’s Nodes
- Bouchard’s and Heberden’s Nodes are two types of swellings of fingers.
- They occur in osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint disease.
- They occur in older individuals due to an exostosis — a bony enlargement.
- Also, they can occur in single or multiple joints.
Difference Between Bouchard and Heberden Nodes
Definition
Bouchard’s nodes refer to nodules of the proximal interphalangeal joint (i.e., the finger’s middle joint), also known as the PIP joint, typically indicative of hand osteoarthritis. In contrast, Heberden’s nodes refer to a bony enlargement of the terminal joint of a finger commonly associated with osteoarthritis.
Type of Finger Joint
Bouchard’s nodes occur in the distal interphalangeal finger joint, while Heberden’s nodes occur in the proximal interphalangeal finger joint.
Type of Arthritis
Bouchard’s nodes are associated with severe arthritis, while Heberden’s nodes are associated with osteoarthritis.
Occurrence
Bouchard’s nodes are less common, while Heberden’s nodes are more common.
Conclusion
In brief, Bouchard’s and Heberden’s nodes are two bony nodules that occur due to arthritis. Bouchard’s nodes occur in the distal interphalangeal finger joint. They are associated with severe arthritis. Also, they are less common. In comparison, Heberden’s nodes occur in the proximal interphalangeal finger joint. However, they are associated with osteoarthritis. In addition, they are more common than Bouchard’s nodes. Therefore, the main difference between Bouchard and Heberden nodes is their type of finger joint.
References:
- Tiarks, G. (n.d.). Bouchard nodes: What are they, causes, signs, symptoms, and more – osmosis. Osmosis from Elsevier. https://www.osmosis.org/answers/bouchard-nodes
- Heberden’s nodes: What it is, causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21829-heberdens-nodes
Image Courtesy:
- “Bouchard nodes Armenian” By Davplast – Own work (CC-BY SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Heberden-Arthrose” By Drahreg01. – Own Work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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