Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Clubbing of the fingers or toes

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Clubbing


Home Care

There is no specific treatment for the clubbing itself. Home care depends on the diagnosis.


Call your health care provider if

If you notice clubbing, call your health care provider.


What to expect at your health care provider's office

A person with clubbing usually has other symptoms and signs of a specific condition. Diagnosing that condition is based on:

  • Family history
  • Medical history
  • Physical exam that looks at the lungs and chest

Medical history questions may include:

  • Do you have any breathing difficulty?
  • Does clubbing affect the fingers, toes, or both?
  • Is it becoming more noticeable?
  • Is the skin ever bluish-colored?
  • What other symptoms do you have?
  • When did you first notice this?

The following tests may be done:

  • Arterial blood gas
  • Chest CT scan
  • Chest x-ray
  • Echocardiogram
  • EKG
  • Pulmonary function tests


Review Date: 11/02/2009
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)