away, the bones within the joint begin to rub against each other, leading to the formation of new bone as the body attempts to stabilize the joint. This results in the characteristic hard bumps that are Heberden’s nodes. These nodes are more commonly found in women and typically appear after the age of 45.
3. How Osteoarthritis Changes the Joints and Creates These Nodules
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, the flexible tissue that cushions the ends of bones in a joint. When this cartilage deteriorates, the bones begin to rub together, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
In response, the body often forms osteophytes, or bone spurs, as a way to try to repair the damage and increase the surface area of the joint. These osteophytes manifest as the hard nodules or bumps on the joints, such as Heberden’s nodes on the DIP joints. This
