Sclerodactyly
The most classic symptom of scleroderma is a type of skin
tightening called sclerodactyly. The initial stage of the
disease involves swelling of the fingers. Later, as the
connective tissue becomes fibrotic, skin on the fingers and toes
becomes hard and shiny. The fingers can become difficult to bend
and can form contractures due to the severe tightening of the
skin.
Review Date: 2/22/2009
Reviewed By: Ariel D. Teitel, MD, MBA, Chief, Division of
Rheumatology, St. Vincent’s Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided
by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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