Heberden’s nodes are one of the first symptoms of osteoarthritis. The cartilage that covers the ends of the bones wears away due to wear-and-tear or an injury to the joint. Once the cartilage is gone, there is no longer any cushioning in the joints. This leads to friction and the formation of osteophytes or bone spurs around the joints. Heberden’s nodes follow. Some research shows that the ligaments may also play a role in the early stages of nodal development.

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