| Skeletal Involvement |
| This page was written by Shelley Ensz, and has not yet been medically edited. Scleroderma (SD) affects everyone differently. Just because something is listed here does not mean an individual patient will ever experience it. See Disclaimer. |
| Overview of Musculoskeletal Involvement in Scleroderma |
| Musculoskeletal rehabilitation in the person with scleroderma. The current literature on rehabilitation techniques consists of studies evaluating the effectiveness of paraffin wax treatment, hand and face stretching exercises, connective tissue massage and joint manipulation, splints, and aerobic exercise and resistance training. Except for splints, four studies show improvement in joint motion, hand function, and cardiopulmonary endurance. JL Poole. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2009 Dec 16. |
| Bone involvement in clusters of autoimmune diseases: Just a complication? Bone impairment in multiple autoimmune diseases might be considered not only a complication due to endocrine or nutritional mechanisms, but also a consequence of an immunoregulatory imbalance. F. Lombardi. Bone. October 23 2009. (Also see: Skeletal Involvement) |
| Determinants of Reduced Walking Speed in People with Musculoskeletal Pain. Comorbidities, age, female sex, and lower socioeconomic position determine walking speed in people with joint pain. Issues such as poor vision and social-economic disadvantage may add to the effect of musculoskeletal disease, suggesting the need for a holistic approach to management of these patients. J Rheumatol 2007;34:1905-12. |
| Organ Involvement-Induced Disability In Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) . SSc-related disability is clinically significant and is mostly related to joint, cutaneous and cardio-pulmonary involvement, as well as to the disease-induced fatigue. C. Mihai. AB0514 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Skin, Cardiac and Pulmonary Involvement) |
| Musculoskeletal involvement in scleroderma. Scleroderma can be accompanied by arthralgias, inflammatory arthritis, flexion contractures, nerve entrapment, myositis, or myopathy. Musculoskeletal manifestations are a major cause of morbidity and disability in scleroderma. PubMed. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2003 May;29(2):391-408. |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Hand in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). The visualization of pathology of hands was better with MRI and detailed lesions which were difficult to interpretate with clinical investigation or not visible with X-ray. M. N. Starovoytova. SAT0240 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Medical Tests) |
| Surgical treatment of destructive calcific lesions of the cervical spine in scleroderma. Destructive, calcific masses in the cervical spine associated with scleroderma and an indication for surgical treatment are rare. Treatment is complex and not without significant risk to the patient. PubMed. Spine. 2006 Aug 1;31(17):2002-8. (Also see: Calcinosis) |
| Use of antibodies recognizing cyclic citrullinated peptide in the differential diagnosis of joint involvement in systemic sclerosis. Anti-CCP antibodies can be detected in patients with SSc, but less commonly present than in adults with rheumatoid arthritis. PubMed. Clin Rheumatol. 2006 May 3. (Also see: Antibodies, and Rheumatoid Arthritis) |
| Body Fat Composition |
| On average, systemic scleroderma patients do not differ from healthy people, in terms of total body fat, despite the ravages of illness and frequent complications of gastrointestinal difficulties. Another unusual finding in the following study is that scleroderma patients had significantly better cholesterol profiles than healthy people. |
| Body Composition Analysis in Patients with Scleroderma. Total body fat and fat distribution seems not to be influenced in scleroderma patients when compared to healthy controls. However, high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were significantly higher and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly lower in the patient group. O. Gurler. AB0289 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Systemic Scleroderma, and Cardiac Involvement) |
| Bone Density |
| Evaluation of Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), during Treatment with Bosentan (Preliminary Report). Despite small number of patients, the results of our study seem to indicate that in SSc patients, the use of bosentan (for management of pulmonary arterial hypertension and prevention of ischemic digital ulcers) should not determine significant decrease of bone mineral density. On the contrary, in this study we have observed that bosentan stabilizes pulmonary artery PA systolic pressure and pulmonary function tests in SSc patients. S. Bellissimo. (SAT0234). EULAR 2009. (Also see: Bosentan) |
| Bone Mineral Density (BMD) Parameters in a Group of Female Patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Differences in SSc duration, activity, clinical subtype and treatment had no impact on bone mass. Osteoporosis was recorded less frequently, than in healthy controls. Statistically significant correlation between BMD, age, menopause and BMI was recorded in control group, but was not present among female SSc patients. K.A. Simic Pasalic. [FRI0329] EULAR 2009. |
| Depression and low bone mineral density (BMD): a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies. Depression is associated with low BMD, with a substantially greater BMD decrease in depressed women and in cases of clinical depression. Depression should be considered as an important risk factor for osteoporosis. Q. Wu. Osteoporosis International. April 03, 2009 (Also see: Depression and Scleroderma) |
| High bone mineral (HMD) density is associated with high body mass index (BMI). High BMD is an infrequent finding. In this retrospective cohort study of women 50 years and older, a strong association between high BMD and high BMI was documented. S Morin. (SpringerLink) Osteoporosis International. 11/26/08. |
| Bone Resorption |
| Bone Resorption is the absorption of the bone by large multi-nucleated cells called osteoclasts. Resorption occurs normally in very small amounts, but can claim large quantities of bone in circumstances where normal physical weight-bearing stress is absent. See Scleroderma Photos. ISN |
| Costochondritis |
| Costochondritis. Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). It causes sharp pain in the costosternal joint — where your ribs and breastbone are joined by rubbery cartilage. MayoClinic. |
| Can Early Diagnosis and Management of Costochondritis Reduce Acute Chest Pain Admissions? Early review may improve patient care and reduce expenditure; in recurrent cases of costochondritis, sulfasalazine may be of additional longterm benefit. J Rheumatol. November 2004;31:2269-71. |
| Erosive Arthropathy |
| Arthropathy is a disease of the joint. |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Hand in Systemic Sclerosis. Our study illustrates the usefulness of MRI in the accurate diagnosis and characterization of SSc-associated arthropathy. Andrea H.L. Low Journal of Rheumatology 30 March 2009. |
| Erosive Arthropathy in systemic sclerosis. This study showed an high frequency of erosive arthropathy in our morroccan SSc patients with clinical synovitis. F. Allali. (PubMed) BMC Public Health. 2007; 7: 260. |
| The arthropathy of systemic sclerosis: a 12 month prospective clinical and imaging study. This cross-sectional prospective study confirms that an arthropathy is common in SSc patients and shows that it is a major determinant of disability. A classification of radiological alterations into three specific patterns is proposed. PubMed. Skeletal Radiol. 2004 Sep 17. |
| Joint Contractures |
| Physical and occupational therapies are also very helpful to minimize impairments and disabilities, and should be started at the first stages of hand involvement to prevent or ameliorate finger contractures. Likewise, physical and occupational therapies are also necessary at the first stage of skin tightening on the legs. |
| When the fingers become tight, stretched, wax-like, and hardened it is called Sclerodactyly. (See Scleroderma Photos) |
| An out-of-print 32-page pamphlet, Scleroderma Caring for Your Hands and Face by Jeanne L. Melvin, MS, OTR, FAOTA, is full of exercises for your hand and face to help maintain mobility. It also shows how to measure your mouth and hands to see how much the exercises are helping. It explains the importance of relaxing the hands before stretching. Also there are general tips for dealing with Scleroderma. It was originally published by the American Occupational Therapy Association, however they no longer distribute it, and it is not available on Amazon even as an out-of-print publication. Some people have been able to find it (sometimes by specially requesting it) through their local library. We highly recommend trying to get it that way. |
| A longitudinal follow-up of hand involvement and activities of daily living (ADL) in early systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this study hand mobility and ADL capacity were maintained during the first years of SSc. G. Sandqvist. (informa) Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. 03/18/09. |
| Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in diffuse scleroderma: impact on hand structure and function. ASCT improved hand scleroderma over 12 months and resolved previously refractory tenosynovitis. ASCT secondarily improved hand function (paid employment, followed by self-care, home care, then by sport/hobbies). (PubMed) Intern Med J. 2008 Mar 11. (Also see: SCT, and Sclerodactyly) |
| Chronic Articular (Joint) Involvement In Systemic Sclerosis. Articular disease appears in almost half of SSc patients in our series. The predominant clinical pattern is similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis, with bilateral and symetrical hand involvement. but with much less severe radiological damage and no association with rheumatoid factor (RF). Beatriz E. Joven. 7/7. ACR 2007. |
| Clinical features of scleroderma patients with contracture of phalanges (CP). Our study suggested that the presence of CP may be a marker of oesophageal involvement, pulmonary fibrosis and heart involvement. PubMed Clin Rheumatol. 2007 Aug;26(8):1275-7. (Also see: Esophageal Involvement, Pulmonary fibrosis, Cardiac Involvement) |
| Therapeutic management of acral manifestations of systemic sclerosis. Acral manifestations of systemic sclerosis include Raynaud's phenomenon, calcinosis cutis, and sclerodactyly. In the later stages of the disease, contractures of the skin and joints as well as obliterative vasculopathy leading to digital ulcers and necrotic lesions may occur. PubMed. Med Klin (Munich). 2007 Mar 15;102(3):209-18. (Also see: Raynaud's, Calcinosis, Sclerodactyly, and Digital Ulcers) |
| The use of the hand anatomic index to assess deformity and impaired function in systemic sclerosis. Measurement of the HAI in scleroderma provides a reliable and objective measure reflecting variable degrees of hand deformity and functional impairment and might provide a valid clinical outcome measure in patients with this disabling disorder. PubMed. Rheumatol Int. 2005 Oct 20;:1-6. |
| Surgery of the hand in patients with systemic sclerosis: outcomes and considerations. The goals of surgery for advanced SSc affecting the hand are limited and include pain relief through sympathectomy and increased perfusion, repositioning the digit, providing a functional position of fusion, and modest mobilization through resection arthroplasty. J Rheumatol. 2005 Apr;32(4):642-8. (Also see: Sclerodactyly, Raynaud's Treatments, and Calcinosis) |
| Evaluation of paraffin bath treatment in patients with systemic sclerosis. In this pilot study hand exercise in combination with paraffin bath seemed to improve mobility, perceived stiffness and skin elasticity. However, further studies with larger sample size are needed to attain more reliable results of the effect of paraffin bath treatment in patients with scleroderma. PubMed. Disabil Rehabil. 2004 Aug 19;26(16):981-7. |
| Daily activities and hand function in women with scleroderma. Impaired hand function was related to ADL (activities of daily living) difficulties and the use of assistive devices improved ADL. This emphasizes the importance of treatments that improve hand function and of testing ergonomic tools. PubMed. Scand J Rheumatol. 2004;33(2):102-7. |
| For optimum results, make every effort to seek out a physical or occupational therapist well-versed in scleroderma (few are, since scleroderma is so rare) — and diligently follow their advice. |
| Photo of Finger Contracture |
| Skin Involvement: Sclerodactyly ISN. |
| A Multidisciplinary Approach to Hand Function Problems in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases. A structured, multidisciplinary approach towards hand function problems in patients with rheumatic diseases shows that the problems the patient faces are in general multiple and complex and can in many cases not be solved by a single intervention or health professional. F. Van der Giesen. SP0182 EULAR 2003 (Also see: Skin Involvement and Disability Resources) |
| Joint Inflammation and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
| Scleroderma can also cause joint inflammation (pain, redness and/or swelling) which is usually treated with NSAIDS or other anti-inflammatories. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is often an initial symptom of scleroderma (usually along with Raynaud's), preceding the development of other symptoms by months or years. |
| Anti-hnRNP and other autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis with joint involvement. These parameters might suggest that autoantibody to both hnRNP antigens might become a non-specific but useful marker for joint involvement in SSc patients and identify SSc patients prone to develop joint damage. Sergio Generini. Rheumatology Advanced Access. May 29, 2009. (Also see: Antibodies) |
| Articular Involvement In Systemic Sclerosis. We described two variants of SSc articular involvement with different mode of presentation, clinical features, pace of progression, degree of functional disability, underlying MRI and US findings that may help in early SSc diagnostics and correct assessment of disease activity. M. Starovoitova OP-0194 EULAR 2008. |
| Efficacy and Safety of Etanercept in the Treatment of Scleroderma-Associated Joint Disease. This case series demonstrates that etanercept appeared to be efficacious in improving active inflammatory joint disease in a subset of scleroderma patients, and it was generally safe and well tolerated. J Rheumatol 2007 July;34:1636. Letter to the Editor. (Also see: Medications) |
| Relationship between physical activity and stiff or painful joints in mid-aged women and older women: a 3-year prospective study. These results are the first to show a dose-response relationship between physical activity and arthritis symptoms in older women. They suggest that advice for older women not currently experiencing stiff and painful joints should routinely include counseling on the importance of physical activity for preventing the onset of these symptoms. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007, 9:R34 doi:10.1186/ar2154 March 29 2007. (Also see: Arthritis) |
| Clue to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Found. A microscopic look at carpal tunnel syndrome may have uncovered the cause of the painful condition. In all of the carpal tunnel syndrome patients, the researchers found, the connective tissues appeared to be damaged, causing bulky fibers and scar tissue. WebMD. 11/16/06. |
| The Efficacy of Self-Administered Stretching for Finger Joint Motion in Japanese Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. Self-administered stretching program may be useful for improving finger joint motion in patients with SSc. J Rheumatol 2006 August;33:1586–92. (Also see: Sclerodactyly) |
| Ultrasonography shows increased cross-sectional area of the median nerve in patients with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Cross-sectional areas of the median nerves were significantly higher in the CTS patients compared with the rheumatoid arthritis controls and healthy persons. No significant differences in cross-sectional areas were observed between the two control groups, or between the right and left hand in the control groups. Rheumatology 2006 45(5):584-588. (Also see: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Arthritis) |
| Hand/Wrist/Arm Problems A number of common injuries, aches and pain in the hands, wrists and arms occur with sporting activities or work. Follow this flowchart for instructions on self-care and when to see your doctor. familydoctor.org |
| Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS) test: the reliability of a novel hand function test. HAMIS consists of 9 items designed to measure all movements assessed in an ordinary range of motion (ROM)-measured hand test. HAMIS is a reliable instrument for evaluation of hand function on scleroderma patients. PubMed. Arthritis Care Res. 2000 Dec;13(6):369-74. |
| Validity of HAMIS: a test of hand mobility in scleroderma. HAMIS has a demonstrated concurrent validity compared with ROM and skin score, and it showed a good ability to discriminate between healthy individuals and persons with scleroderma, although a lack of variation in the items measuring pronation and supination inferred worse psychometric properties for these two items. PubMed. Arthritis Care Res. 2000 Dec;13(6):382-7. |
| Lower Back Pain Back pain and discomfort with movement are common problems, often originating from overuse of the back muscles. Other causes of back pain are also described in this chart. familydoctor.org |
| Paraspinal cervical calcifications associated with scleroderma. Although soft tissue calcifications are well known to occur as a late manifestation in scleroderma, symptomatic paraspinal calcinosis is very rare. Clinically, patients present with focal neck pain, weakness or radiculopathy, and decreased range of motion of the neck. PubMed. JBR-BTR. 2003 Mar-Apr;86(2):80-2. (Also see: Calcinosis) |
| Remember, never stretch to the point of pain! |
| Myositis (Muscle Inflammation) |
The skin tightening may irritate the underlying muscles and tendons below the skin, causing myositis (inflammatory muscle disease), which often goes along with scleroderma. When this happens, a blood test will show elevation of muscle enzymes. Repeated blood tests for detection of muscle enzymes should be performed at your doctors discretion. Once myositis is diagnosed, its very important to quit exercising, since repeated use of muscles will worsen the inflammation. |
| Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis. Polymyositis is an inflammatory condition of the muscles ; dermatomyositis is an inflammatory condition of the skin and muscles, which causes a distinctive rash. ISN. |
| Concomitant diseases in a cohort of patients with idiopathic myositis (IIM) during long-term follow-up. There is significant steroid-related morbidity in adult IIM patients under long-term follow-up. The prevalence of another concomitant auto-immune disease unlike patients with lupus or Sjogren's syndrome is low. (SpringerLink) K.P. Ng. Clinical Rheumatology. April 23 2009. |
| A descriptive and prognostic study of systemic sclerosis-associated myopathies. Muscle histopathology is critical in the therapeutic management of SSc-associated myopathy, because patients without muscle inflammation are unlikely to get benefit from corticosteroid therapy. B Ranque. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. 3 December 2008. |
| Neurological Involvement |
| What Is Neuropathy? What Causes Neuropathy? Neuropathy is a collection of disorders that occurs when nerves of the peripheral nervous system (the part of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord) are damaged. Peter Crosta M.A. Medical News Today. 29 Apr 2009. |
| Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for painful sensory neuropathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome. IVIg might be an effective treatment for pain in Sjögren's syndrome-associated neuropathy. Further studies should be done in a controlled, blind study. Morozumi S. (PubMed) J Neurol Sci. 2009 Apr 15;279(1-2):57-61. 2009 Jan 24. (Also see: Sjögren’s) |
| Current Approaches in Therapeutic Management of Chronic Neuropathic Pain. Neuropathic pain is briefly defined as pain caused by a lesion in the nervous system and is common in clinical practice. Pharmacotherapy and neurostimulation therapy are the two most recommended therapies for the treatment of this condition. Özlem Solak. Romatizma 2008, Cilt 23, Sayı 4, Sayfa(lar) 135-142. (Also see: Pain Treatments) |
| Doctors Issue New Neuropathy Test Guidelines. A combination of blood tests and other specialized assessments seems to be most effective in finding the cause of a common nerve problem called neuropathy, according to new guidelines issued by the American Academy of Neurology. (HealthDay) U. S. News. 12/03/2008. |
| Evaluation of abnormalities of orthostatic postural control in systemic sclerosis. This study seems to indicate a subtle neurophysiological dysfunction in the orthostatic postural control of female SSc patients. PubMed. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2005 May-Jun;23(3):297-302. |
Connection between scleroderma and the autonomic nervous system. Prolonged sensory chronaxy (the length of time needed to stimulate a muscle or nerve cell with an electric current) in the entire seemingly normal skin is a characteristic and pathognomonic (a particular sign whose presence means, beyond any doubt, that a particular disease is present.) feature of scleroderma. As a whole, the investigations suggest that in scleroderma the primary lesions concern the autonomic nervous system, in both the skin and the autonomic ganglia and centres. Journal of Neural Transmission, Volume 24, Numbers 1-4 / March, 1962. |
| Blink reflex discloses CNS dysfunction in neurologically asymptomatic patients with systemic sclerosis. The lack of overt trigeminal symptoms in our patients favours a suprasegmental dysfunction, possibly due to microvascular lesions disseminated in the subcortical white matter. PubMed. Clin Neurophysiol. 2004 Aug;115(8):1917-20. |
| Rosie: Limited Systemic Sclerosis (Australia) Some of my symptoms may not be due to limited scleroderma, however most of these symptoms have appeared since my diagnosis... |
| Susie: CREST Syndrome I have had CREST syndrome for the past eight years. My specialist is Dr. Frederick Wigley, from Johns Hopkins... |
| Transverse Myelitis |
| Transverse myelitis is a condition resulting from inflammation of your spinal cord. MayoClinic. |
| Transverse myelitis in systemic sclerosis. Transverse myelitis can occur as a rare manifestation of SSc and may respond favorably to immunosuppressive therapy. PubMed. Arch Neurol. 2004 Jan; 61(1): 126-8. |
| Patient Stories: Skeletal Involvement |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
| Alexandra: Scleroderma My scleroderma symptoms arrived in great style: reflux, itchy swollen skin, joint and muscle pain and tiredness. Plus hundreds of little red spots (telangiectasia). My mouth was tight and getting smaller too... |
| Annette: Diffuse Scleroderma (Illinois) I can see where having friends who understand what I am going through would be a big help... |
| Bill: Diffuse Scleroderma I was relieved to have a label for my condition but the doctor was not very reassuring telling me that there was no effective cure or treatment... |
| Claudia: Systemic Scleroderma Nature is wise, no doubt about it, when something is wrong with our body we have to pay attention... |
| Dawn M: Linear/Systemic Scleroderma My family and I were informed by the doctors, that the localized/linear form of scleroderma that I was diagnosed with, would never progress into the potentially fatal, systemic form... |
| Dee B: Limited Scleroderma/CREST Syndrome I also had the problem with people saying I was a hypochondriac, as at that stage all the doctors I saw found nothing wrong with me, but I constantly felt weary and ill... |
| Denise E: Diffuse Scleroderma I was first diagnosed with diffuse scleroderma in February 2002, but my symptoms began subtly in the summer of 2000... |
| Kathi: Scleroderma/Lupus I am 43 years old and have not been feeling well for ten years... |
| Kerrie: CREST Syndrome with Limited Scleroderma If I was not stressed before I went in, I certainly was then. I am going to get referred on to see someone different. Hopefully, I will be luckier second time around... |
| Rhonda L: Systemic Scleroderma I have recently been diagnosed with sclerodema, and am still trying to wrap my brain around this... |
| Ro M: Scleroderma After six months of suffering, I have just been diagnosed with scleroderma. I was constantly tired, run down and plagued with infections... |
| Rosemary F: Surviving Daughter of Diffuse Scleroderma Patient She tried to explain it, but it was hard for me to comprehend the disease's symptoms. Mom said that it was the same thing that her oldest sister died from... |
| Sandy A: CREST Syndrome I have had surgery to remove the calcinosis on my knee and forearm twice, and once on my elbow. Yet it always comes back... |
| Sheri: CREST Syndrome In the winter of '97, my fingers and toes started turning white and numb in response to the cold weather... |
| Sherrell: Possible Scleroderma When he examined me, he mentioned the possibility that I may have scleroderma. He said my fingers and face showed signs of this disease... |
| Shirley Wright: Limited Scleroderma I have had this disease for over twenty years now and I plan on being around a lot longer... |
| Star S: Morphea and Systemic Scleroderma I was diagnosed with morphea at age seven. Now at age thirty-three, I have recently developed systemic scleroderma with gastrointestinal manifestations, Sjogren's syndrome, inflammatory arthritis, malabsorption... |
| Soose: Limited Scleroderma I may have had scleroderma for the last year and a half or two years and did not know it... |
| Wes C.: Brother of Systemic Sclerosis Patient Just days ago, my sister Michelle was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, after being misdiagnosed for almost two years... |
| Costochondritis |
| Brenda M: Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC), Fibromyalgia, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Sjogren's Syndrome In 1965, when I was twenty-six, I went to work for a firm of electro-platers, which was mainly aircraft work... |
| Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis |
| Personal Stories of Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis ISN. |
| Joint Contractures |
| Daniel B. Koch: Mixed Connective Tissue Disease with Scleroderma Two months after I was born the doctors noticed that my growth rate was very slow... |
| Karen M.R.: Diffuse Scleroderma and Fibromyalgia I was so glad she was there, because I sort of went into shock when the doctor said she was going to start me on chemo treatments... |
| Lisa V: Diffuse Scleroderma and Raynaud's When I first got sick, I thought I was dying. My fingers started hurting really bad... |
| Also see: Sclerodactyly (fingers curling inward) ISN |
| Joint Pain |
| Chela: Diffuse Scleroderma My facial expression changed a lot, but this went unnoticed to the people that do not know me very well... |
| (Español/Spanish) Chela: Esclerodermia Difusa Fue terrible para mí; las facciones de mi cara cambiaron mucho, pero sin ser notorio para las personas que no me conocen... |
| Dodo: Limited Systemic Scleroderma (Italy) The tips of my fingers turned cold, and then became cyanotic, always hurt and in the end they became ulcerated... |
| (Italiano) Dodo: Sclerodermia Sistemica Limitata (Italia) Ho iniziato ad avere alcune punte delle dita delle mani molto fredde, che in pochi giorni diventarono prima cianotiche, sempre piú doloranti e infine presentarono delle ulcere... |
| Julie T: Surviving Daughter of a Diffuse Scleroderma Patient Our family deals with most difficult situations with laughter and humor, even in the most trying times... |
| Karligash: Systemic Scleroderma (Republic of Kazakhstan) Young, beautiful, full of hope and expectations for my life, for happiness and love — that was me, 19 years of age... |
| (Russian) Карлыгаш: системная склеродермия (Республика Казахстан) Молодая,красивая,полная ожидания от жизни счастья,любви такая я была в 19 лет... |
| Leslie R: Scleroderma, Vitiligo, Lupus, Anemia, Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes He told me that I have scleroderma and explained what this disease is about. After suffering so long I finally got some answers... |
| Theon: Scleroderma and Pneumothorax This is very hard for me, because I was a very active woman, and then suddenly I am totally and completely disabled... |
| Yvette: Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD) and Thyroid Cancer For now, I have accepted that the diagnosis of my core problem is not important. The way I choose to deal with it is... |
| Peripheral Neuropathy |
| Craig R: CREST Scleroderma I had my first scleroderma symptoms at age twenty-two, which included severe Raynaud's with some ulceration and tissue loss... |
| Rotator Cuff Injury |
| Dawn: Confirmed Early Scleroderma I am awaiting surgery for what was thought to be a right rotator cuff injury. I now understand this may, in fact, be a symptom of my scleroderma... |
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