What is scleroderma?

Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease. The term is often used broadly and may refer to conditions involving hardening or tightening of the skin, while systemic sclerosis is the more specific term often used when internal organs are also involved. Inflammatory and connective tissue diseases may affect joints, muscles, soft tissues and multiple body systems.

Common features may include:

• skin tightening or thickening

• finger stiffness or reduced hand movement

• pain and disability in the hands

• fatigue

• joint or soft tissue discomfort

• Raynaud’s phenomenon in some people

• swallowing, breathing or gastrointestinal issues in some cases

A substantial part of day-to-day disability in scleroderma can relate to hand pain, circulation changes and reduced function.

How scleroderma may affect daily function

Scleroderma affects each person differently, but it may impact:

• hand use and fine motor tasks

• grip, dexterity and daily activities

• mobility and physical endurance

• fatigue and reduced energy

• joint comfort and movement

• self-care and daily routines

• work, study or community participation

• swallowing or breathing comfort in some people

Because scleroderma may affect circulation, connective tissues and multiple body systems, support often needs to be practical, individualised and responsive to the person’s changing symptoms.

How Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health may help

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy may support people with scleroderma where there are goals related to mobility, strength, stiffness, deconditioning, fatigue-aware movement or return to daily activity. Depending on the person’s needs, physiotherapy may include:

• gentle movement and mobility support

• strength and conditioning for function

• fatigue-aware activity planning

• support for deconditioning after reduced activity

• guidance for pacing return to movement and exercise
  
  

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy may help when scleroderma is affecting hand use, daily routines, fatigue management, self-care, work tasks or home function. OT may include:

• fatigue management and pacing

• practical strategies for daily routines

• hand function and joint protection strategies

• support to reduce effort during everyday tasks

• equipment or adaptive strategies where appropriate
  
  

Exercise Physiology

Exercise physiology may be appropriate for some people living with scleroderma who need support with graded return to exercise, endurance, strength or physical reconditioning. Programs should be tailored carefully to the person’s fatigue levels, joint symptoms, circulation issues and medical advice.

Speech Pathology

Speech pathology is not usually relevant for everyone with scleroderma, but it may be relevant where a person has associated swallowing, voice or oral function concerns, particularly if dryness, reflux or oesophageal involvement are affecting eating, drinking or speaking comfort.

Hand function, circulation and fatigue considerations

For many people with scleroderma, the hands are one of the most functionally affected areas. Pain, stiffness, swelling, circulation changes and reduced dexterity can make everyday tasks harder. Much of the disability in scleroderma is linked to the fingers and hands. Fatigue may also have a major impact on daily function and energy levels.

Because of this, support often needs to focus on practical daily function as much as on broader physical activity or conditioning.

Our approach

At Palms, we take a function-focused, goal-directed approach. That means we look at how scleroderma is affecting the person in everyday life and what practical support may help. Therapy may focus on:

managing fatigue more effectively

supporting hand use and daily tasks

improving confidence with movement

rebuilding strength after lower-activity periods

supporting daily routines and participation

helping the person pace activity in a sustainable way

We also recognise that support often works best when it is coordinated with the person’s GP, rheumatologist and broader medical team where appropriate.

FAQ

What is scleroderma?

Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease. The term is often used broadly, while systemic sclerosis refers more specifically to forms that may also affect internal organs.

Is scleroderma an autoimmune disease?

Scleroderma is generally managed within rheumatology and autoimmune/connective tissue disease services, alongside other multi-system autoimmune connective tissue disorders.

Can scleroderma affect the hands?

Yes. Hand pain, stiffness, reduced blood flow and finger-related disability are common functional issues in scleroderma.

Can scleroderma cause fatigue?

It can. Fatigue can be a significant and life-affecting symptom in connective tissue diseases and may reduce activity tolerance and daily function.

Can physiotherapy help with scleroderma?

Physiotherapy may help support mobility, strength, deconditioning and return to activity, particularly when fatigue, stiffness, weakness or reduced physical capacity are affecting daily life.

Can occupational therapy help with scleroderma?

Yes. Occupational therapy may assist with hand use, daily routines, fatigue management, self-care, work tasks and independence in everyday activities.

Can scleroderma affect swallowing or digestion?

It can. Some connective tissue diseases involving systemic sclerosis features may affect the digestive tract and swallowing comfort, which can make broader allied health support relevant.

Is scleroderma the same as Raynaud’s?

No. Raynaud’s phenomenon is a circulation-related symptom that can occur in people with scleroderma, but it is not the same condition.

Can allied health treat scleroderma itself?

No. Scleroderma requires medical diagnosis and management. Allied health does not treat the connective tissue disease itself, but may support strength, fatigue management, movement, hand function and day-to-day quality of life.

When should someone with scleroderma see allied health?

Allied health may be worth considering when scleroderma is affecting fatigue, mobility, hand use, daily living, exercise participation or overall function.

If you are living with scleroderma and would like support with fatigue, strength, movement or day-to-day function, our team can discuss whether physiotherapy or allied health input may be appropriate for your needs. 

Important disclaimer: This webpage contains general information only and is not intended to be relied upon as personal clinical advice. While we aim to keep information accurate and up to date, it may not reflect the most current research or your individual circumstances. Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health does not accept liability for decisions made based on this information without an individualised assessment by an appropriately qualified health professional. If you have concerns, please contact us to book an assessment or speak with your GP/medical team.