Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Do Heberden and Bouchard nodes affect finger dexterity in elderly?

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
Rheumatology International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Elderly often have Heberden nodes (HN) and Bouchard nodes (BN) that may affect finger dexterity. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess an effect of HN and BN on finger dexterity of the elderly. The nine-hole peg test was used for dexterity measurement in 200 elderly with HN and/or BN. Mean age was 68.6 ± 5.39 years. Average performance of each hand was compared between elderly with or without nodes. HN and BN were found in 75 right hands (37.5%) and 73 left hands (36.5%). Nodes were found in females more often than males (p < 0.001). Average right hand dexterity in elderly with and without nodes was 21.6 ± 3.16 and 21.4 ± 3.16 s. Average left hand dexterity in elderly with and without nodes was 23.3 ± 3.13 and 23.3 ± 3.67 s. There was no significant difference between elderly with or without nodes (p ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, HN and BN in elderly hands do not affect finger dexterity. Therapist may use the same training program to prevent deterioration of finger dexterity in elderly with or without nodes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2002) Prevalence of self-reported arthritis or chronic joint symptoms among adults—United States 2001. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 51:948–950

    Google Scholar 

  2. Mannoni A, Briganti MP, Di Bari M et al (2003) Epidemiological profile of symptomatic osteoarthritis in older adults: a population based study in Dicomano, Italy. Ann Rheum Dis 62:576–578

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Ling SM, Bathan JM (1998) Osteoarthritis in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 46:216–225

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Moran ME (2001) Osteoarthritis and occupational therapy intervention. Phys Med and Rehabil: State of the Art Reviews 15:65–81

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kloppenburg M, Stamm T, Watt I et al (2007) Research in hand osteoarthritis: time for reappraisal and demand for new strategies. An opinion paper. Ann Rheum Dis 66:1157–1161

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Dohaghin S, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA, Reijman M, Pols HAP, Hazes JMW, Koes BW (2005) Prevalence and determinants of one month hand pain and hand related disability in the elderly (Rotterdam study). Ann Rheum Dis 64:99–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Thaper A, Zhang W, Wright G, Doherty M (2005) Relationship between Heberden’s nodes and underlying radiographic changes of osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 64:1214–1216

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Oxford Grice K, Vogel KA, Le V, Mitchell A, Muniz S, Vollmer MA (2003) Adult norms for a commercially available nine hole peg test for finger dexterity. Am J Occup Ther 57:570–573

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Trombly CA, Radomski MV (2006) Occupational therapy for physical dysfunction, 5th edn. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  10. Mathiowetz V, Weber K, Kashman N, Volland G (1985) Adult norms for the nine hole peg test of finger dexterity. Occup Ther J Res 5:24–38

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bellamy N, Sothern RB, Campbell J, Buchanan WW (2002) Rhythmic variations in pain, stiffness, and manual dexterity in hand osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 61:1075–1080

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Altman R, Alarcon G, Appelrouth D et al (1990) The American College of Rheumatology criteria for the classification and reporting of osteoarthritis of the hand. Arthritis Rheum 33:1601–1610

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Jones G, Cooley HM, Bellamy N (2001) A cross-sectional study of the association between Heberden’s nodes, radiographic osteoarthritis of the hands, grip strength, disability and pain. Osteoarthr Cartil 9:606–611

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhang W, Doherty M, Leeb BF et al (2009) EULAR evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis of hand osteoarthritis: report of a task force of ESCISIT. Ann Rheum Dis 68:8–17

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Shakoor N, Agrawal A, Block JA (2008) Reduced lower extremity vibratory perception in osteoarthritis of the knee. Arthritis Care Res 59:117–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama IV Road, Prathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Wasuwat Kitisomprayoonkul, Kotchakorn Promsopa & Dootchai Chaiwanichsiri

Authors
  1. Wasuwat Kitisomprayoonkul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kotchakorn Promsopa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dootchai Chaiwanichsiri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wasuwat Kitisomprayoonkul.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kitisomprayoonkul, W., Promsopa, K. & Chaiwanichsiri, D. Do Heberden and Bouchard nodes affect finger dexterity in elderly?. Rheumatol Int 30, 543–545 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1196-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1196-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation