Passively reducible swan-neck and Z-shaped finger deformities in a patient reporting polyarticular arthritis should raise suspicion for Jaccoud’s arthropathy (JA). Unlike the fixed deformities of rheumatoid arthritis, those of JA typically are also nonerosive on plain radiographs. Periarticular ligament and tendon laxity may be the cause of the deformities. JA has been associated with rheumatic fever, connective tissue disorders, infections, and neoplasms but is most often seen with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as in this case. No specific therapy exists for SLE-associated JA; management focuses on controlling the underlying inflammatory condition with agents such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, metho…
Comment
Passively reducible swan-neck and Z-shaped finger deformities in a patient reporting polyarticular arthritis should raise suspicion for Jaccoud’s arthropathy (JA). Unlike the fixed deformities of rheumatoid arthritis, those of JA typically are also nonerosive on plain radiographs. Periarticular ligament and tendon laxity may be the cause of the deformities. JA has been associated with rheumatic fever, connective tissue disorders, infections, and neoplasms but is most often seen with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as in this case. No specific therapy exists for SLE-associated JA; management focuses on controlling the underlying inflammatory condition with agents such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, metho…