Herberden nodes?

[brunonator]

I have these painful lumps on my fingers that appear after injury to the finger, I have 3 in total. Only one of them is really painful however, the other 2 don't bother me much.

The location on the lumps is on the dip joint, result of fingers getting caught in the gi during judo practice.

The big thing here is, it doesn't show up on an xray. Comparing to images of herberden nodes i would say it is really similar. Can be seen on the finger but not by xray.

Things that I have discarded already

Gout- Tests show normal

Rheumatoid factor- was 8 a few years ago and it's about 13 now, 14 would be the reference range.

Cysts- they feel hard, almost calcium like and can't really be pressed down.

-I'm just scratching my head, been to rheumatologist and hand surgeon. I asked if maybe a biopsy could be taken, he said that was not possible.

[Tracey39]

Hi 👋 that to me sounds like bone spur that grow maybe after injury degenerative disc??? Hope that is some help I'm not an expert tho xxx

[brunonator in reply to Tracey39]

Wouldn't a bone spur show up on an xray?

[PMRPete]

It sounds like 'nodal osteoarthritis', see here:-

arthritisresearchuk.org/art...

[brunonator]

yea that's also what i think - They are a result of injuries, therefore herberden nodes caused by osteoarthritis, but they don't even show up on xray, hand surgeon gives me a shot that lasts about 2 months and it doesn't take care of the pain on the top portion of the dip joint, where the extensor tendon lies- I think its kenalog mixed with an anesthetic 50/50 formula.

He won't do an excision nor a biopsy, it doesn't show up on xray and therefore no permanent relief from it can be achieved.

Any suggestion as to what other alternatives there are? I like to do grappling sports and this is an injury that keeps me completely off of the sports.