machinist's hand

machinist's hand

Rheumatology A descriptor for the changes in the hands of Pts with dermatomyositis Clinical Periungual erythema, linear erythematous discoloration around the nailbeds, accompanied by scaling, hyper- and hypopigmentation, and eventually brauny induration with darkened or 'dirty' horizontal line across the lateral and palmar aspects of the fingers–from whence the name–and pink to violaceous scaling overjoint flexures–eg, the knuckles, elbows, and knees. See Polymyositis-dermatomyositis.