Bone changes associated with cystic fibrosis

Musculoskeletal symptoms are known to occur frequently in patients with cystic fibrosis. Radiographs of the hands and wrists, and of the tibia and fibula of 56 patients with cystic fibrosis were reviewed. No radiographic joint abnormalities were detected. However, it was noted that the fourth metacarpal was shortened in 5 of 56 patients (9%), a finding that has not been previously documented. Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy was present in 3 patients (5.5%).