Sclerodactyly is a localized thickening and tightness of the skin of the fingers or toes that yields a characteristic claw-like appearance and spindle shape of the affected digits, and renders them immobile or of limited mobility.[1][2] The thickened, discolored patches of skin are called morphea, and may involve connective tissue below the skin, as well as muscle and other tissues.[3] Sclerodactyly is often preceded by months or even years by Raynaud's phenomenon when it is part of systemic scleroderma.[citation needed]
The term "sclerodactyly" comes from the combination of the Greek words "skleros" meaning hard and "daktylos" meaning a finger or toe – "hard fingers or toes".
Treatment of sclerodactyly is by physical therapy, phototherapy, surgery, topical corticosteroids or vitamin D analogues, and systemic immunosuppressive drugs when the condition is part of systemic scleroderma[citation needed]. Localized treatment won't halt systemic disease, but can restore function and cosmetic aspects of the affected digits. The mild to moderate proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint flexion and extension contractures and stiff distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints in slight flexion often seen in sclerodactyly can be addressed somewhat with physical therapy.[9] In a few cases when immune involvement isn't apparent (in these cases environmental causes are suspected), the condition may gradually clear up by itself If the trigger is avoided[citation needed]. In other cases, early treatment while the disease is in the inflammatory stage is much more likely to be successful than on established lesions[citation needed].