[Bone pain and clubbed fingers. Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy]

A 37-year-old-patient was admitted to the medical polyclinic with a history of lower leg pain that had lasted for months. Pronounced clibbed fingers and toes were noted on clinical examination but other wise the patient's general condition was unremarkble. None of the routine tests performed evidenced pathological findings. Radiological examination revealed a lamellar periosteal reaction along both sides of the tibia and fibula consistent with hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. A computed tomogram taken of the thorax to exclude a tumor was inconspicuous. Treatment with nonsteroid antirheumatics resulted in complete eradication of the symptoms. In case of uncertain bone pain together with clubbed fingers, consideration must be given to hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. This condition is usually a secondary manifestation, especially in cases of cardiac or pulmonary disease. The primary or idiopathic forms is rare and has a good prognosis.