A Four-Year Follow-Up Study on Subjective Symptoms and Functional Capacities in Workers Using Hand-Held Grinders.

Abstract

Abstract:Fifty-three grinders in the metal industry were re-examined 4 years after their first examination. Information about age, occupation, daily vibration exposure, drinking and smoking habits, and presence of subjective symptoms such as vibration-induced white finger (VWF), and numbness and pain in the fingers was collected during the first and second examination. Cold provocation test (10°C110 min) was also employed to evaluate disturbances in the peripheral circulatory and peripheral nerves in all subjects. The frequency-weighted vibration acceleration of various types of hand-held tools was measured.There was no subject with VWF at the first examination; however, during the course of follow-up, two cases (3.8%) of VWF with latent interval of more than 25 years were diagnosed. Prevalence of numbness in the fingers and shoulder stiffness was significantly higher at the second examination. When the prevalence of subjective symptoms was tested by the subjects' total operating time (TOT) during the 4-year follow-up period, those whose TOT was equal to or more than 2500 hours showed higher prevalence compared to the other subgroup. The paired values of recovery rate of finger skin temperature and vibration sensation threshold after the cold water immersion test were significantly different at the first and second examination. On average, the diminution of hand-grip force during the 4-year follow-up course was 7.4% ; the difference being significant at 0.01 level. Significant differences in the paired data of pinching power and tapping ability could be detected. The frequency-weighted vibration acceleration of various tools was in the range of 1.1-4.6 m/s2. It was concluded that: (1) prolonged occupational exposure to the vibration of hand-held grinding tools should be considered as a risk factor causing disturbances in the hand-arm system of the operators; (2) the results of recovery rate of finger skin temperature and the vibration sensation threshold seemed to be appropriate indicators for the assessment of peripheral vascular and peripheral nerve disturbances in workers exposed to handarm vibration; and (3) to reduce the subjects' physical stress, attention should be paid to ergonomic factors.

Vascular Endothelial Cells Mediate Mechanical Stimulation-Induced Enhancement of Endothelin Hyperalgesia via Activation of P2X2/3Receptors on Nociceptors

“…It has been suggested that musculoskeletal pain induced by exposure to vibrating devices used in various occupations, may have a vascular component (Ogasawara et al, 1997; Dowd et al, 1998; Mirbod et al, 1999). We have previously demonstrated that exposure to vibration produces chronic muscle pain (Chen et al, 2010; Dina et al, 2010).…”

Reduced muscle strength in abduction of the index finger: an important clinical sign in hand‐arm vibration syndrome

“…In other studies reduced strength has been reported among people who use hand-held vibrating tools in their daily work. A 7% reduction in grip strength has been reported among grinders in a four year follow up study (17) and loss of 21% in grip strength in the hand during a two year follow up study of lumberjacks with Raynaud's phenomenon (8). We have recently reported reductions in grip and pinch strength of 7% and 9%, respectively, in full-time workers making rock crushing equipment compared with controls.…”

A Comparative Assessment of the Impact of Different Occupations on Workers’ Static Musculoskeletal Fitness

“…A significant decrease in hand grip strength was detected in metal industrial workers who used hand-held grinders, in a 4-year follow-up study, indicating that prolonged occupational exposure should be considered as a risk for work-related MSDs [19]. The existence of musculoskeletal symptoms amongst individuals who stand for prolonged periods is well recognized [6,20,21,22] as is the existence of these symptoms amongst individuals who sit for prolonged periods [6,23,24,25].…”