Heberden’s nodes: Does anyone use finger sleeves?

Welcome @hawkssr. @bethc1954 mention @fourof5zs Heberden’s nodes in this related discussion:
- Hand osteoarthritis with mucous cysts https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hand-osteoarthritis-with-mucous-cysts/

And @sequoia @ellerbracke @jnb @SusanEllen66 and others mention braces (or sleeves) for trigger finger in this discussion:
– Trigger thumb: What helps? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/trigger-thumb/

I'm glad that you started this new discussion specific to Heberden's nodes. Hawksstr, do you have osteoarthritis?

Yes I do.

I have tried finger sleeves custom made by my OT but Zi haven’t had much luck keeping them on. I have Erosive Degenerative Osteoarthritis in both hands with Heberden’s nodes. I wear compression gloves, braces & supports on both hands. Tried making cookies & candy for the holidays. Definitely not my smartest move.

I was trying to say that I don’t have much success keeping the finger splints on. In addition to the Heberden’s nodes, I also have Bouchard’s nodes. I have the most trouble with the thumb on my right hand as far as bruising & pain go. (I am left-handed.) I have very little ability to bend the fingers on my right hand & a fist is impossible. The problem hit my left hand later and I have fairly good mobility in my middle & baby fingers.

Have you considered surgery for the Bouchard's nodes? I have a large Bouchard's node on my middle finger. It is not painful but it is getting larger so am considering surgery, but not sure about how risky this is and whether there are complications from it.

My Rheumatologist said that there isn’t much that can be done surgically but I have not consulted a hand surgeon. If you consult a hand surgeon make sure he/she is THE best!

Thanks for your response, but why can't they remove them?

I have been doing a little reading on that. It says that nodes are new bone growing on top of old. If they were to operate & remove the nodes, then they would try to reconstruct/fuse bones & joints.
Some clinics say it can’t be done, some say it can, but if I am understanding what I am reading, the purpose of the surgery would be to get rid of the pain, not necessarily to improve the function of the finger.

Yes, I seem to be reading the same information. So far my nodes are not causing any pain but one of them is getting so large that it stands out and draws attention. I have an appointment with a hand specialist so we'll see what he says. Fusion and reconstruction does not sound like a procedure I'd like to go through, especially since I am not in pain and my fingers function normally up to now. But I'm concerned because the large node only appeared 6 months ago and is growing rapidly.

I’ll be interested to hear what you find out. The “growing rapidly” would be concerning. Glad you are not in any pain.