Where do Heberdens nodes and Bouchards nodes occur?
Bony articular nodules (osteophytes or “spurs”) located on the DIP joints are called Heberden’s nodes, whereas those located on the PIP joints are called Bouchard’s nodes. They can occur on the fingers and toes. Palmar and lateral deviation of the distal phalanx as a result of these nodules is not uncommon. Heberden’s nodes are 10 times more frequent in women than in men. The tendency to develop Heberden’s nodes may be familial, with one estimate suggesting that a woman whose mother has Heberden’s nodes is twice as likely to develop similar joint changes as a woman without such a family history. The clinical importance of Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes is that they usually signify that the patient has primary nodal OA and does not have a secondary etiology for the OA.
