Heberden’s Arthrosis

In Heberden’s arthrosis (synonyms: Osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joints of the fingers; distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) osteoarthritis;DIP osteoarthritis; Heberden osteoarthritis of the fingers; Heberden node; Heberden node with arthropathy; Heberden disease; Heberden polyarthrosis of the finger joints; Heberden syndrome; ICD-10-GM M15. 1: Heberden’s nodes (with arthropathy)) is a form of osteoarthritis affecting the finger end joints (distal interphalangeal joints, DIP) and is associated with the formation of Heberden’s nodes. It is named after the English physician William Heberden (1710-1801).

Sex ratio: males to females is 1: 10.

Frequency peak: the risk of the disease increases with age. In women, Heberden’s arthritis usually begins with menopause.

The incidence (frequency of new cases) for women in the 50-59 age group is 190 cases per 100,000 women per year and for men in the same age group 27 cases per 100,000 men per year (in Germany).

Course and prognosis: The disease is progressive and is associated with pain, limited mobility and loss of strength. Often several fingers of a hand are affected, most frequently the 2nd and 3rd finger, rarely the little finger. Adequate therapy can delay the progression of the disease.