Knuckle pads (also known as "
Heloderma
''Heloderma'' is a genus of toxicoferan lizards that contains five species, all of which are venomous. It is the only extant genus of the family Helodermatidae.
Description
The genus ''Heloderma'' contains the Gila monster (''H. suspectum ...
", meaning similar to the skin of the
Gila monster lizard for which it is named) are circumscribed,
keratotic, fibrous growths over the
dorsa of the
interphalangeal joints.
They are described as well-defined, round,
plaque-like, fibrous thickening that may develop at any age, and grow to be 10 to 15mm in diameter in the course of a few weeks or months, then go away over time.
Knuckle pads are sometimes associated with
Dupuytren's contracture and
camptodactyly,
and histologically, the lesions are
fibromas.
Knuckle pads are generally non-responsive to treatment, including
corticosteroid
Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates, as well as the synthetic analogues of these hormones. Two main classes of corticosteroids, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, are involv ...
s, and tend to recur after surgery; however, there has been some effectiveness with intralesional
fluorouracil.
See also
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Skin lesion
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List of cutaneous conditions
Many skin conditions affect the human integumentary system—the organ system covering the entire surface of the body and composed of skin, hair, nails, and related muscle and glands. The major function of this system is as a barrier against t ...
*
Garrod's pad
References
Further reading
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External links
Dermal and subcutaneous growths
Soft tissue disorders
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