Summary
The correlation was investigated between the frequency of attacks of vibration-induced white finger (VWF) and numbness or coldness of the fingers and legs in patients with vibration syndrome. Some 1687 patients with vibration syndrome were examined and of these 342 chain-saw operators and 277 rock-drill operators had no disease other than vibration snydrome. Then subjects were matched by age and period of treatment within three years. In the last analysis, 20 in the VWF “almost everyday” group or in the “never” group, and 40 in the “occasionally” group were selected from the chain-saw operators, and from the rock-drill operators 32 in the VWF “everyday” or the “never” group and 64 in the “occasionally” group. The present study showed that, with the frequency of VWF attacks, patients had a higher prevalence of coldness not only in the fingers but also in the legs. These findings suggest a correlation between the severity of circulatory disturbances of the upper extremities and that of the lower ones in patients with vibration syndrome. Further studies on circulatory disturbances in the leg are required.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Asaba G, Kimura A, Tsubahara A (1981) Effect of hot-spring baths on peripheral circulatory disorder in vibration disease. Proc 46th General Meeting Jpn Assoc Phys Med Balne Climat, pp 3–4 (in Japanese)
Ashe WF, Williams N (1964) Occupational Raynaud's II, further studies of this disorder in uranium mine workers. Arch Environ Health 9:425–433
Chatterjee DS, Barrwick DD, Pertrie A (1982) Exploratory electromyography in the study of vibration-induced white finger in rock drillers. Br J Ind Med 39:89–97
Färkkilä M, Pyykkö I (1979) Blood flow in the contralateral hand during vibration and hand grip contraction of lumberjacks. Scand J Work Environ Health 5:368–374
Gemne G (1982) Pathophysiology and multifactorial etiology of acquired vasospastic disease (Raynaud's syndrome) in vibration-exposed workers. Scand J Environ Health 8:243–249
Gomibuchi R, Ohi T (1962) So-called “white waxy finger”. JJTOM 15:177–182 (in Japanese)
Juntunen J, Matikainen E, Seppälïnen A-M, Laine A (1983) Peripheral neuropathy and vibration snydrome, a clinical and neurophysiological study of 103 patients. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 52:17–24
Kondo T, Sakakibara H, Miyao M, Akamatsu Y, Yamada S, Nakagawa T, Koike Y (1987) Effect of exposure to hand-transmitted vibration on digital skin temperature change. Ind Health 25:41–53
Nasu Y (1977) Changes of the skin temperature caused by local vibratory stimulation in normals and patients with vibration syndrome. Yonago Acta Medica 21:83–99
Pyykkö I, Hyvärinen J (1973) The physiological basis of the traumatic vasospastic disease: a sympathetic vasoconstrictor reflex triggered by high frequency vibration? Work Environ Health 10:36–47
Pyykkö I, Korhonen O, Färkkilä M, Starck J, Aatola A (1982) A longitudinal study of vibration syndrome among Finnish forest workers. In: Brammer AJ, Taylor W (eds) Vibration effects on the hand and arm in industry. Wiley, New York, pp 157–167
Suzuki Y, Nishiyama K, Nagayasu M, Nishihara S (1966) A case of the occupational Raynaud's phenomenon observed on the foot of vibrating tool operator. Shikoku Acta Med 22:70–72 (in Japanese)
Takagi S (1968) Raynaud's phenomenon due to chain saw and chipping machine. Jap Circul J 32:483–492 (in Japanese)
Yamada S, Suzuki H, Maeda K, Takeuchi Y (1974) Skin temperature of the finger and value of nail press test under various environmental conditions in persons affected by vibration hazards. J Sci Labor 50:439–450 (in Japanese)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sakakibara, H., Akamatsu, Y., Miyao, M. et al. Correlation between vibration-induced white finger and symptoms of upper and lower extremities in vibration syndrome. Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath 60, 285–289 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378475
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378475