Bouchard nodules are a manifestation of osteoarthritis in the form of bony protuberances that occur in the middle joints of the fingers. They can be the result of a finger injury, but usually occur without prior injury. They are more common in women, starting between 40 and 60 years of age. There is also a hereditary component. Nodules arise in 50% of rheumatoid arthritis patients. They are made up of degenerated collagen.
These rheumatoid nodules are raised, hard, and usually painless deformities that appear in the joints of the fingers, toes, elbows, and ankles. The size of these lumps is diverse and ranges from 1 to 5 centimeters.
The main cause of Bouchard nodules is the presence of osteoarthritis. This is the triggering factor, although external factors such as an injury to the finger can accelerate the presence of the bumps. It has been shown that there is also a hereditary predisposition for its appearance.
Bouchard’s nodules usually arise first on one finger and then may occur on others. In many cases there is redness accompanied by pain and maximum sensitivity in the affected joints, while in others the bumps appear progressively and without pain. The nodules carry a certain feeling of clumsiness.
The doctor uses a visual examination to determine the existence of Bouchard nodules and may perform complementary tests to check the general state of health.
In many cases, no treatment is necessary. The treatment combines exercises with the administration of medications. Range of motion exercises in hot water are recommended to keep joints flexible. At the same time, you can take analgesics and anti-inflammatories. Sometimes a corticosteroid injection may be prescribed for severely affected joints to relieve pain and increase range of motion. In extreme situations, surgery must be used to reconstruct the joint.
The appearance of this disorder cannot be prevented, but it is advisable to perform exercises routinely to improve the functioning of the affected joints.
