Identifying pestle finger is confirmed by careful observation of the fingers and toes, combined with a history of heart disease, lung disease, and digestive disease.
In the hand, pestle finger is most common in the thumb and digit, and then other fingers in turn; in the foot, it is most common in the bunion. The bones of the fingers (toes) are thick and mallet-like in shape; the finger (toe) nails are arched and elevated, with a basal angle of ≥180° to the skin.
It is often accompanied by prolonged recurrent cough, sputum, hemoptysis, palpitations, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Mostly due to cyanosis congenital heart disease, chronic bronchitis, chronic ulcerative colitis and other diseases.
It is important to note that normal curved finger (toe) nails should not be mistaken for pestle finger, and that deformities of the fingers or toes in elderly people with arthritis may conceal pestle finger. It is recommended to go to the hospital and ask a medical professional for assistance in determining the cause.