Heberden nodes are associated with which condition?

Heberden nodes are bony growths that occur on the distal interphalangeal joints (the joints closest to the fingertips) and are a hallmark characteristic of osteoarthritis. This degenerative condition is primarily associated with the wear and tear of cartilage in the joints, leading to inflammation, pain, and the formation of these nodes as a result of bone spur development.

In osteoarthritis, these nodes are indicative of changes in the joint structure caused by aging and repetitive stress over time. Their presence is often used as a clinical sign to help diagnose osteoarthritis, especially when accompanied by joint pain and stiffness. The distinctive formation of Heberden nodes is not typically seen in other conditions like gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriatic arthritis, which have different pathophysiologic mechanisms that do not lead to the same type of bony changes at the distal joints.