Clubbing of the fingers or toes

Alternative names:

clubbing; osteoarthropathy; pulmonary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy

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:

• arterial blood gas
• pulmonary function tests
• chest X-ray
• echocardiogram
• EKG

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to clubbing to your personal medical record.