What's wrong with my friend's hands?

I wanted to know if this was a condition, what possible causes, any knowledged speculation would be great.

Keeping his fingers open is stressed, painful.

Extending his fingers pushes his joints (the row connecting palm to finger) forward, as if one were trying to touch only his palm to a surface, and fingers remain curled. (think spiderman)

Last two fingers will not extend straight - they'll pop back and forth from bent to hyperextended.

I feel like maybe this is an indication of muscles or tendons that are too short? I know this isn't much detail, can someone maybe redirect me, then?

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When the fingers become tight, stretched, wax-like, and hardened it is called Sclerodactyly. This is related to schleroderma. Please tell him he needs to get medical attention for this. Look at web site below to see if this is what it looks like.

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Some sort of arthritic condition?
sounds like rheumatoid arthritis...it can be painful. Tell your friend to go to a arthritis specialist