Finally, after autoamputation, the base of the proximal phalanx remains. Radiological examination allows early diagnosis and staging of ainhum. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent amputation. Doppler shows decreased blood flow in posterior tibial artery. Differential diagnosis
Ainhum is an acquired and progressive condition, and thus differs from congenital annular constrictions. Ainhum has been much confused with similar constrictions caused by other diseases such as leprosy, diabetic gangrene, syringomyelia, scleroderma or Vohwinkel syndrome. In this case, it is called pseudo-ainhum, treatable with minor surgery or intralesional corticosteroids, as with ainhum. It has even been seen in psoriasis or it is acquired by the wrapping toes, penis or nipple with hairs, threads or fibers. Oral retinoids, such as tretinoin, and antifibrotic agents like tranilast have been tested for pseudo-ainhum. Impending amputation in Vohwinkel syndrome can sometimes be aborted by therapy with oral etretinate. It is rarely seen in the United States but often discussed in the international medical literature. Prevention
Wearing shoes to protect barefoot trauma has shown decrease in incidence in ainhum. Congenital pseudoainhum cannot be prevented and can lead to serious birth defects. Treatment
Incisions across the groove turned out to be ineffective. Excision of the groove followed by z-plasty could relieve pain and prevent autoamputation in Grade I and Grade II lesions. Grade III lesions are treated with disarticulating the metatarsophalangeal joint. This also relieves pain, and all patients have a useful and stable foot. Intralesional injection of corticosteroids is also helpful. Epidemiology
Ainhum predominantly affects black people, living in West Africa, South America and India.
Extremities may refer to:

Anatomy
The distal limb (forearm or lower leg) of a tetrapod animal, more specifically its distalmost portion, including:
Hand, a prehensile, multi-digited organ at the distal end of upper limb (arm) of bipedal primates (especially humans) that is highly adapted for grasping and fine manipulation of objects
Foot, the terminal portion of a quadruped tetrapods limb that mainly bears weight and allows terrestrial locomotion. In toe-walking ungulates, the term typically refers to the hoofed portion of the foot. Paw, a furry, padded foot with claws, common in many quadruped animals
Appendage, any external body part that protrudes outwards from an organisms core, such as a limb, tail, ear, nose, horn/antler, external genitalia, antenna, tusk/mouthpart or raptorial

Other
Extremities (play), a 1982 play by William Mastrosimone
Extremities (film), a 1986 film based on the play

See also
Extreme (disambiguation)