Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease characterized by multisystem fibrosis and soft tissue calcification.
The hands are the most common site of musculoskeletal involvement and characterized by:
- acro-osteolysis (resorption of distal phalanx)
- periarticular osteopenia
- joint space narrowing
- bony erosions
- subcutaneous and periarticular calcification
- atrophy of the fingertips
- hand deformity (flexion contractions)