Heberden's Nodes treatment?

Megrose2

Hi all. I'm hoping to have a steroid injection later this week to help my trigger finger - very painful and annoying. However, I've also got Heberden's Nodes on the top joints of quite a few fingers, which are equally as painful. One is particularly sore and has distorted my finger as it has grown.

The only remedy I can find online is rest, ice and NSAIDs. If anyone else has got these has any other treatment been suggested to you? I thought I'd mention it to my GP when I see him as it's something I haven't discussed before and I'm finding it very frustrating. How can you rest your fingers?

Meg

crinkly1

The formation of Heberden's nodes was one of the earliest indications that I had OA - more then 30 years ago. Over time, the bumps have become larger and the distortions more pronounced so I now have almost no flexion in those joints or the next, which have Bouchard's nodes and dropping things is par for the course.

I have never been offered treatment for these nodes but followed suggestions made after assessment by an Occupational Therapist. In my area steroid injections are not recommended so I have had none in my hands - just a course of them into my knees giving temporary relief and two that didn't work at all into a shoulder.

Pain has been variable and is sometimes negligible but tends to return after a lot of exercise. Being unable to take NSAIDs I have a wax bath that provides soothing comfort at the end of a particularly active day. (I used it daily when I was working.)

By now my grip is seriously compromised but I've gradually adapted by using kettle tipper, thick handled cutlery and kitchen utensils plus lightweight mixing bowls, less heavy crockery etc. My family bought my first food processor for my 50th birthday so I could continue to provide them with cakes! It's been a godsend.

I'm sorry I can't quote an effective 'treatment' but, unless something miraculous has been developed recently, Heberden's nodes are just one aspect of a condition that is still little understood and for which there are no guaranteed 'cures' - even surgery brings its downsides and is rarely recommended as a solution for finger joints. I hope you find something that alleviates your pain and I will be extremely interested to know if there is a magic potion!

crinkly1

A quick PS.

I've been casually browsing the internet and see that there are a number of different finger splints recommended for relief of arthritis pain and for helping to straighten the fingers involved. The most recommended by Occupational Therapists appears to be a 'ring splint'. I've not tried them myself and know no-one who has but thought I should mention this.

In some rheumatology departments hand splints are prescribed and made to fit the individual so that might be something to ask about too.

Sherry777

My RA has affected my hands a great deal and when I get flare ups they are agony. A course of steroids help but I hate having to resort to them too much. Can anyone recommend compression gloves as the ones I tried were not much use. I take methotrexate and had rituximab treatments but nothing fully resolves RA. Hands are my biggest annoyance though!

Ellen

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/699963#Comment_699963

Have you seen this thread@Sherry777

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/58513/gloves

Best wishes

Ellen.

Secondsummer60

Hi, I find that the most frustrating thing about herbeden nodes is that very few doctors seem to take them seriously! While you see dozens and dozens of plastic surgery options offered for all parts of the body to deter aging, there’s absolutely nothing I can find to improve the appearance of my hands?
I began growing these nasty herbeden nodes in my 40s, and now in my early 60s, they are on just about every finger. I’ve never seen any pictures online of anyone that has them as badly as I do! These bumps are like huge grape-sized nodules that are very noticeable, and make me want to wear gloves every day, except that I live in the desert. Since I have none of the pre-existing conditions like obesity and inactivity, the only reason I would have them this badly is genetics-thank you MOM! Unfortunately, my mother died early in my life and both of my sisters have also passed away, so I have no female relatives to compare this curse with.
My issue isn’t with the pain or doing therapy of how to develop strength, because my hands are still very strong, as I have been a bodybuilder and a dancer my whole life. The most painful thing about herbeden nodes is looking at them every day, and the depressing fact that I have to hide my hands, while watching new ones grow, and knowing I can do nothing about it! Doctors I have visited just shrug and say “well its a blessing that you are so attractive in other ways?” (yes I had a doctor say that!) so my question is if I can go get a facelift, a tummy tuck or a butt lift, new boobs even, why can’t I get rid of these horrible grape-sized nodules at the end of my fingers? I am also a professional musician who plays the piano so I have people who look at my hands while I play and it is downright embarrassing. I don’t need Advil. I don’t need Tylenol. I need plastic surgery to cut these damn things out! Can anyone help me?