The hand patient: Osteoarthritis Of The Distal Interphalangeal Joint Of The Finger

Abstract

RE:Your patient with painful nodule of the dip joints of her fingers and deformed nails Thank you for the referral of your patient Mrs. J. O, a 53 year old right handed lady who complains of painful hard, tender nodules at the DIP-joints of her fingers. She also has a soft swelling over one of the joints, which causes a deformity of the nail bed. Furthermore one of her main complaints are the unsightly swellings of the DIP-joints with deviation. She has had this problem for a number of years. This condition affects her activities of daily living. She has difficulty in doing needlework because of the pain. She has tried various painkillers, which initially were of some benefit, but lately she seems not to get any relief from these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Two years ago she was operated for a median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel of her right hand. The symptoms have completely disappeared.