Hard bumps that form on the finger joints closest to the nails are commonly caused by Osteoarthritis, specifically what’s known as Heberden’s nodes.
Common reasons this may seem to be “spreading” include:
- Osteoarthritis progressing: The condition can gradually affect additional finger joints over time, so new bumps may appear on other fingers.
- Age-related wear and tear: The risk increases with age.
- Family history: Osteoarthritis often runs in families.
- Previous joint injury: Past injuries can make certain joints more likely to develop arthritis.
These bumps are usually:
- Hard and bony (not soft)
- Located at the joints nearest the fingernails
- Sometimes painful, swollen, or red when they’re first developing
- Less painful once they’ve fully formed, though the joint may become stiff or enlarged
Other conditions can also cause bumps on the fingers, such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (typically affects different joints and is often associated with prolonged morning stiffness)
- Mucous (ganglion) cysts near the nail
- Less commonly, gouty tophi in people with longstanding Gout
Your grandmother should consider seeing her primary care clinician or a rheumatologist if:
- The bumps are rapidly increasing in size.
- She has significant pain, warmth, or redness.
- Multiple joints become swollen.
- She develops fever or can’t use her fingers normally.
- The diagnosis is uncertain.
A doctor can usually diagnose the cause with an examination and, if needed, X-rays.
If you can upload a clear photo of her fingers (showing the bumps near the nails), I can help identify the most likely cause and explain what features point toward it.
