What is it about ?
Hand-arm vibration syndrome is a collection of symptoms that occurs after regular and prolonged use, usually over a year, of vibrating tools, such as a drill or chainsaw. This can damage the nerves and blood vessels in the arms, hands and fingers.
How to recognize it?
Most of the symptoms are due to damage to the nerves, as in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome : loss of sensitivity and tingling in the fingers…. The load of handling tools can also lead to bone and joint problems (e.g.osteoarthritis).
Prolonged contractions of the small blood vessels in the fingers, which recur in episodes (sporadically), can cause Raynaud’s phenomenon. This phenomenon often occurs after exposure to cold. In this case, the fingers turn white and numb (“dead fingers”). Over time, symptoms can spread to the hands and arms.
How is the diagnosis made?
Based on the working conditions and symptoms, the doctor may think of hand-arm vibration syndrome.
It is especially important to rule out other causes that cause similar symptoms, such as diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, a lazy thyroid (hypothyroidism) or heavy drinking. Raynaud’s phenomenon may also be the (first) sign of an underlying connective tissue disease (lupus, scleroderma or polymyositis).
What can you do ?
Stop smoking and avoid exposure to cold by wearing warm gloves and warm protective clothing. Talk to your doctor to find out if your medications need to be adjusted. You can also go to your employer’s occupational health service. It will be checked whether it is possible to adapt the working conditions, for example by using less vibrating tools or by limiting the duration of work with these tools.
What can the doctor do?
The doctor will refer you to the occupational health service of your company.
After cessation of vibration exposure, symptoms go away to varying degrees and most often slowly. Usually, nerve damage takes time to heal.
Want to know more?
Are you looking for more specialized help?
- Smoking Assistance Center (CAF®) – FARES – Respiratory Affections Fund
- Tobacco specialists – FARES – Respiratory Affections Fund
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