Introduction
This topic covers hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), the occupational disease caused by prolonged use of vibrating hand-held tools. It covers how the disease develops, how it presents across its vascular, neurosensory and musculoskeletal parts, how it is staged and diagnosed, how it is separated from other conditions, and how it is treated, prevented and assessed for expertise.
Definition and classification
Vibration is mechanical oscillation transmitted to the body. Hand-arm vibration syndrome is a chronic disease that results from repeated exposure of the hands and arms to such vibration. It has three components that often coexist: a peripheral vascular component (vibration-induced white finger), a peripheral neurosensory component (vibration-induced neuropathy), and a musculoskeletal component. The disease is progressive and is usually described in three stages of severity.
- Vascular: episodic finger blanching triggered by cold, the occupational form of Raynaud phenomenon.
- Neurosensory: numbness, tingling and reduced tactile and fine motor function.
- Musculoskeletal: pain, weakness, reduced grip and bone or joint changes in the hand and wrist.