The presence of Heberden’s nodes is associated with increased MRI-based periarticular bone area expansion related to knee osteoarthritis, according to findings published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

“While there is no definitive standard definition or diagnostic criteria for generalized OA, [Herberden’s nodes (HNs)] are considered the hallmark and leading clinical manifestation of this entity,” Arya Haj-Mirzaian, MD, MPH, of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote. “Large body of evidence introduced HNs as the main marker of generalized OA and leading predictor of knee OA. The potential role of HNs as prognostic factor for knee OA progression has been suggested by several reports. ... Despite all [this] evidence, the exact linkage between HNs and pathophysiology of knee OA is still unknown.”