Presentation
In some circumstances, the conditions may be present together. A correct diagnosis is crucial because surgical intervention is not usually beneficial if hand-arm vibration exposure has been a contributing factor. [jamanetwork.com]
Get in touch Hand arm vibration syndrome symptoms If you aren’t sure if you are suffering from HAVS, there are a few symptoms which will present themselves to watch out for, such as: Pain in hands, fingers and arms Swelling and throbbing in your fingers [awhsolicitors.co.uk]
Raynaud phenomenon presents as well demarcated pallor or cyanosis of the fingers along with numbness or tingling in cold environments. 17 This is often followed by rewarming pain and hyperemia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Entire Body System
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Weakness
Synonym: vibration-induced neuropathy Symptoms Patients may report intolerance of cold, muscular weakness, tingling sensations, or changes of color in the hand, fingers, or wrist. hand-arm vibration syndrome See VIBRATION-INDUCED DISORDERS. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
It causes a change in sensory perception, which leads to permanent numbness of fingers, muscle weakness and occasionally white finger (a former name for the condition). It’s related to, but not the same as, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). [protecdirect.co.uk]
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Swelling
Get in touch Hand arm vibration syndrome symptoms If you aren’t sure if you are suffering from HAVS, there are a few symptoms which will present themselves to watch out for, such as: Pain in hands, fingers and arms Swelling and throbbing in your fingers [awhsolicitors.co.uk]
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Hand Pain
For patients with chronic hand pain associated with HAVS, pain management should be a priority. Prognosis. Hand-arm vibration syndrome might lead to disability and poor quality of life. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
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Gangrene
Rarely, in late stages, fingers might become permanently cyanotic and develop tissue necrosis or gangrene. 19 Pain and cold sensation of the hands might become chronic. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
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Physician
Can Fam Physician. 2017 Mar; 63(3): 206–210. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Cardiovascular
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Cyanosis
Raynaud phenomenon presents as well demarcated pallor or cyanosis of the fingers along with numbness or tingling in cold environments. 17 This is often followed by rewarming pain and hyperemia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
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Vascular Disease
Among compensation boards in Canada, the most common initial diagnostic criterion for HAVS is having at least 2 years of hand-arm vibration exposure immediately before onset of vascular disease. 3 History of work-related and non–work-related vibration [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Musculoskeletal
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Muscle Weakness
It causes a change in sensory perception, which leads to permanent numbness of fingers, muscle weakness and occasionally white finger (a former name for the condition). It’s related to, but not the same as, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). [protecdirect.co.uk]
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Arthritis
He had no history of cardiovascular or neurologic disease, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, arthritis, or connective tissue disease. He also had no history of frostbite or carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Neurologic
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Neglect
Our specialist HAVS solicitors could help you pursue a compensation claim against your employer if they have neglected to provide you with adequate equipment or protection which has led to the development of your HAVS. [awhsolicitors.co.uk]
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Numbness of the Hand
Later symptoms can include: Permanent numbness in the hands. A permanent lack of, or reduced, dexterity. More frequent and more painful vibration white finger. [designingbuildings.co.uk]
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Clumsiness
This may cause difficulty doing delicate tasks with your hands (fastening buttons, picking up nails etc) and cause clumsiness. [protecdirect.co.uk]
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Paresthesia
Other less well characterized HAVS symptoms include those of digital sensory neuropathy—finger tingling, numbness, and paresthesia independent of exposure to cold, with less night waking compared with CTS; and musculoskeletal symptoms, in particular reduced [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Treatment
Treatment for HAVS If you have already developed symptoms and are exhibiting signs of HAVS, then you need to try and stop using the tools altogether. Mild symptoms can be reversed if you eliminate the cause. [protecdirect.co.uk]
The pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of Raynaud phenomenon. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2012; 8 (8):469–79. Epub 2012 Jul 10. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ] 18. Falkiner S. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Prognosis
Prognosis. Hand-arm vibration syndrome might lead to disability and poor quality of life. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Pathophysiology
Current pathophysiological views on vibration-induced Raynaud’s phenomenon. Cardiovasc Res. 2003; 57 (3):615–24. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ] 15. Necking LE, Lundborg G, Lundström R, Thornell LE, Fridén J. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Prevention
Hand-held and hand-guided power tools can cause symptoms in fingers, hands and arms, and although preventable, the damage caused is permanent. [designingbuildings.co.uk]
There is some medication that can be taken to combat the effects of HAVS but prevention and early recognition of the symptoms is always the better option. [protecdirect.co.uk]
What family physicians should know Shixin (Cindy) Shen, MD MPH Resident in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at St Michael’s Hospital and in the Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency Program at the University of Toronto in Ontario [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Act 1974. [3] is the legislation in the UK that governs exposure to vibration and assists with preventing HAVS occurring. [en.wikipedia.org]