| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | A broadening and thickening of the fingers or toes ( distal phalanx) with increased lengthwise curvature and curvature of the tip of the nail, with flattening of the angle between the cuticle and nail. |
| Alternative Names | Clubbing; Osteoarthropathy; Pulmonary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy |
| Considerations | Clubbing is associated with a wide number of diseases, although it is most often noted in diseases of the heart and lungs that cause decreased blood oxygen and skin blueness ( cyanosis ) or lung cancer. Clubbing can also be associated with other diseases such as diseases of the liver and the gastrointestinal tract. It may also occur in families without signifying an underlying disease. |
| Common Causes | congenital heart disease (cyanotic type)tetralogy of Fallot tricuspid atresiatransposition of the great vessels total anomalous venous return truncus arteriosus cystic fibrosisbronchiectasis lung abscess Crohn's diseaseceliac diseasecirrhosis lung cancer |
| Home Care | There is no specific treatment for the clubbing itself. Home care depends on the specific diagnosis. |
| Call your health care provider if | you notice clubbing. However, this is a relatively late symptom, and other earlier symptoms have usually occurred that require the attention of your health care provider. |
| What to expect at your health care provider's office | A person with clubbing generally has other symptoms and signs (usually heart and lung disease ) that, when taken together, define a specific syndrome or condition. Diagnosis of that condition is based on the family history, medical history, and thorough physical evaluation. Medical history questions documenting clubbing in detail may include: time pattern When did you first notice this? location Does it affect the fingers, toes, or both? quality Has it been becoming more noticeable? other What other symptoms are also present? Is there any breathing difficulty ? Is the skin ever bluish colored? The physical examination may include thorough assessment of the chest and breathing. Diagnostic tests that may be performed are:chest X-rayEKGechocardiogramarterial blood gaspulmonary function tests After seeing your health care provider, you may want to add a diagnosis related to clubbing to your personal medical record. |
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