Symptoms and treatment of “Heberden’s nodule”

What are the symptoms?

The first joint of the finger (around the base of the nail) becomes thicker and painful.
It can occur on any finger.
As you progress, you may deform to ulnar or radial bending..

How does it happen to humans

It is most common in women over the age of 40.

Treatment

(1) Supplements
Recently, it is said that there is a relationship with female hormones (estrogen), and the effectiveness of taking equol (product name: EQUELLE ), which supplements female hormones, has been reported.
However, it is not a drug prescribed by medical institutions.
However, the ``effectiveness of pain relief’’ has begun to be announced at the academic meeting of the Japanese Society of Hand Surgery, and it is expected that the use of equol will spread in the future.
In addition, since equol has the effect of compensating for female hormone decline, there is an impression that it is effective for menopausal symptoms such as “stiff shoulders” and “hot flashes” in addition to finger pain.
Therefore, equol is likely to be more effective for women around the age of 50 who experience menopausal symptoms.
For older people, the following treatments are recommended.

② Taping
This is the method I recommend most for those in their late 60s or older.
It is a simple method of just wrapping tape (appropriately) around the first joint.
However, this does not mean that the progression of deformation can be prevented, it only has the effect of relieving pain when it hurts .

③ Surgery
is rare.
If surgery is required, joint fusion is the most common.

Surgery cost in JAPAN<Other miscellaneous expenses (medicine charges, etc.) may be required separately>
30 % burden: Approximately 26,000 yen to 35,000 yen
<Breakdown>
Open arthrodesis: (8640 points = 86400 yen )
・Metal used: Kirschner steel wire : 496 yen
Headless screw : 30900 yen
・Anesthesia: Intra-nerve injection: 25 points (= 250 yen)