Bouchards nodessymptoms include pain and inflammation.
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What Are the Symptoms of Bouchards Nodes?
Bouchards nodes, like Heberdens nodes, may or may not be painful.
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However, they will typically affect the extent to which a joint can move or its range of motion.
What Causes Bouchards Nodes?
Cartilage is the tissue that normally cushions the joint space.
Common causes of osteoarthritis include:
Joint damage and inflammation can lead to excessive remodeling of bone tissue.
Ossificationthe part of the process responsible for bone formationcan cause nodules to form.
With that said, there are also bumps associated with rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Because osteoarthritis is not associated with chronic inflammation, WBCs will usually be normal or near-normal.
In contrast, they are often elevated with gout and rheumatoid arthritis, which are inflammatory conditions.
How Are Bouchards Nodes Treated?
The treatment for Bouchards nodes is similar to the treatment approach forhand osteoarthritiswithout nodes.
This includes:
Joint immobilization may also be used during acute flare-ups to minimize joint movement.
They occur when the loss of joint cartilage and inflammation cause excessive bone formation.
The diagnosis involves lab and imaging tests that help differentiate osteoarthritis from similar conditions like gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
Hand therapy can help prevent disability and increase joint mobility.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Osteoarthritis.
2012;64(4):533-8. doi:10.1002/acr.21586
Merck Manual Consumer Version.Osteoarthritis of the hand.
UConn Health.Arthritis of the hand.
Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis of the hands.
