Hand Lumps

Question 1

Osler’s nodes

Answer 1

Osler’s nodes are painful, red, raised lesions found on the hands and feet. They are the result of the deposition of immune complexes.

Question 2

Bouchards nodes

Answer 2

Hard, bony outgrowths or gelatinous cysts on the proximal interphalangeal joints (the middle joints of fingers or toes.) They are a sign of osteoarthritis, and are caused by formation of calcific spurs of the articular cartilage.

Question 3

Heberdens nodes

Answer 3

Typically develop in middle age, beginning either with a chronic swelling of the affected joints or the sudden painful onset of redness, numbness, and loss of manual dexterity. This initial inflammation and pain eventually subsides, and the patient is left with a permanent bony outgrowth that often skews the fingertip sideways. It typically affects the DIP joint.

Question 4

Ganglion

Answer 4

Swelling in association with a tendon sheath commonly near a joint. They are common lesions in the wrist and hand. Usually they are asymptomatic and cause little in the way of functional compromise. They are fluid filled although the fluid is similar to synovial fluid it is slightly more viscous. When the cysts are troublesome they may be excised.