The five grades of clubbing are categorized by specific physical changes to the nail and fingertip, progressing from subtle changes to more pronounced deformation.
Nail clubbing is a physical sign characterized by changes in the areas under and around the fingernails and toenails. It is often associated with underlying medical conditions, particularly those affecting the heart and lungs. The progression of these changes is typically described in five distinct grades.
Based on the provided description, the five grades of clubbing are as follows:
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| I | Fluctuation and softening of the nail bed |
| II | Loss of the hyponychial angle |
| III | Accentuated convexity of the nail |
| IV | Fingertip develops a clubbed appearance |
| V | Nail and surrounding skin develops a glossy change with longitudinal striations of the nail. |
These grades represent a spectrum of changes observed in the development of digital clubbing.
