What Are Knuckle Pads?
Knuckle pads are benign or non-cancerous tumors that form on the finger or toe joints. They are also called Garrod's nodes or Garrod's pads. Knuckle pads usually do not cause health issues. However, they may cause discomfort, irritation, and emotional stress. Large knuckle pads can make it difficult to use your hands and rub on your feet. They can run in families.
What Causes Knuckle Pads?
Knuckle pads are a form of fibromatosis, a condition that causes benign tumors under the skin. Some forms of fibromatosis run in families, but others can happen without a family history or apparent cause. People are more likely to develop knuckle pads if they have other types of fibromatosis, including Ledderhose disease, Dupuytren's contracture, and Peyronie's disease.
In addition to fibromatosis, other conditions can also cause knuckle pads, including:
-
Epidermolytic Palmoplantar Keratoderma: A condition characterized by thickening of the skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, often associated with excessive sweating.
-
Bart-Pumphrey Syndrome: A genetic syndrome that causes nail causes, hearing loss, and thickening of the skin on the hands and feet.
-
Acrokeratoelastoidosis of Costa: A rare skin condition characterized by wart-like growths on the hands and feet.
-
Camptodactyly: A rare, benign, congenital condition marked by one or more fingers stuck in a curved or flexed position.
What Does a Knuckle Pad Look Like?
Knuckle pads appear as bumps on the knuckles or joints of the fingers or toes.
-
The bumps are usually skin-colored.
-
They are solid and firm.
The typical clinical manifestations of knuckle pads are:
-
They are painless. However, the bumps can cause pain or tenderness in some cases.
-
Knuckle pads may sometimes look like corns and calluses, which are hard, rough painful areas of skin caused by rubbing and irritation. However, knuckle pads are dense tissue that develops under the skin.
-
The knuckle pads may affect one or many joints. The hands are most frequently affected, but other joints, such as the feet and knees, may be involved.
-
They are well-defined, smooth, firm, flat, or dome-shaped thickenings.
How Are Knuckle Pads Diagnosed?
The knuckle pads are usually diagnosed through a simple physical examination. However, the health care provider may also take a health history, including any health conditions, family history of fibromatosis, and other medical conditions linked to knuckle pads.
In addition, the provider may also ask about the medications the person is taking. Generally, no tests are needed to diagnose knuckle pads unless symptoms are severe and the health care provider needs to rule out other health conditions.
In such cases, the provider may perform these diagnostic tests on the hands or feet:
-
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
-
Ultrasound.
-
X-ray.
How Are Knuckle Pads Treated?
Treatment is not required if knuckle pads are not causing any pain or interfering with life.
But if treatment is desired because of their appearance or symptoms, the treatment options may include:
-
Topical Medicines: Certain prescription creams are directly applied to the skin on the knuckle pads. These creams contain medications that may help remove extra skin cells or fight inflammation.
-
Steroid Injections: The provider sometimes uses a needle to inject a small amount of steroid medicine into the knuckle pads. These medicines can shrink knuckle pads, making them less visible.
-
Surgery: Rarely, if other treatments are unsuccessful or there are severe symptoms, knuckle pads are removed surgically. Surgery is not recommended for people prone to unusual scarrings, like keloids or hypertrophic scars.
Home Remedies
There are no proven home-based remedies for knuckle pads. However, the following self-care practices may help reduce discomfort.
-
Use lukewarm water for washing hands.
-
Pat dry skin gently after washing instead of rubbing it.
-
Apply fragrance-free, dye-free skin creams or lotions and soaps.
-
Apply moisturizers containing emollients, like petroleum jelly, to hands immediately after washing them.
-
Apply a heavy and thick moisturizing cream or petroleum jelly to the feet after showering or bathing, and then cover the feet with cotton socks to keep moisture in longer.
-
Focus on the heels and bottoms of the feet and the knuckle pads. Putting emollients between the toes can raise the risk of foot fungus.
Treatment for knuckle pads may be successful, but no treatment works for everyone. Work with a healthcare provider to find the right treatment option.
How Are Knuckle Pads Prevented?
Knuckle pads are not preventable. However, seeing a healthcare provider regularly and discussing the overall health and family medical history can allow a person to recognize any health concerns and take care of them immediately.
What Are the Long-term Effects of Knuckle Pads?
Knuckle pads are usually not harmful to the body but can lead to skin irritation and emotional stress. If a person has physical or emotional symptoms, consult a healthcare provider about treatment and support options.
When to See a Health Care Provider?
Knuckle pads are usually not a medical emergency, but contact a health care provider if:
-
New or different bumps or lumps are formed under the skin or if they grow larger.
-
Pain or tenderness in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes.
-
Skin discoloration or rash.
-
Difficulty moving fingers or toes.
Conclusion
Knuckle pads are benign tumors but can cause unwanted changes to the hands and feet. Treatment can help shrink or get rid of knuckle pads. Talk to a healthcare provider about the symptoms to get a prompt diagnosis and the best treatment.
