Tuberculoid Leprosy : Claw Hand

Nerve involvement is an early feature of tuberculoid leprosy. The involved nerves become palpably thickened and are often tender. There is muscle wasting and weakness in the area supplied by the involved nerve. The wasting of interosseous, thenar and hypothenar muscles can cause flexion contracture of fingers resulting in claw hand (as shown here).

Image courtesy of: Dr. Ian McColl; Global Skin Atlas; Used with permission.