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Scleroderma

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of scleroderma.

Alternative Names

Systemic sclerosis

Treatment for Other Complications

Pilocarpine (Salagen) has been approved for treating dry mouth found in people with scleroderma and Sjogren syndrome. In one study, patients with Sjogren syndrome experienced increased salivation after the first dose. Patients reported improvement in being able to speak, sleep, and swallow food without drinking. Side effects include sweating, increased need to urinate, chills, and flushing.

Surgical Treatments for Problems of the Hands

Sympathectomy and Hand Surgeries. Sympathectomy uses procedures that block or removes the nerve responsible for narrowing blood vessels in the hand. The result is increased blood flow in the hand.

The local anesthetics lidocaine or bupivacaine may be very effective in temporarily restoring blood flow and reducing pain.

For finger ulcers that won't heal and are resistant to standard treatments, sympathectomy surgery may be performed.

Other Surgeries. Disabling deformity of the hand is a common feature of scleroderma. Various surgical procedures can relieve pain, prevent tissue loss, protect hand function, and improve the appearance of hands.

• Review Date: 12/14/2006
• Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital

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