Hi,

  I was wondering if someone could help me. I have noticed lately
that the fingers on my hands are beginning to change shape quite
rapidly it seems. My knuckles seems to be jutting out at the side on
my middle knuckles on all of my fingers. It doesn't seem painful as of
yet. The doctor looked at my hands and said that he didn't think that
it was arthritis, but advised me to go for an X-ray. I am still very
worried as my fingers are definitely all changing shape as a result of
what I think through research must be Bouchard's nodes as there
doesn't seem to be any other explanation on the internet. I am
extremely worried by the rapid nature of this development. I only
noticed it a few days ago and everyone who has seen it apart from my
doctor would agree that something doesn't look right.
 There is no pain at the moment. I was wondering if this is a
definite sign of arthritis or is there any other reason why my knuckle
joints would be growing out at the side of my finger. Also, is the
rapid nature of this something to worry about? Many thanks