Neurológia pre prax 5/2014

Vibration neuropathy

Transmission of vibration from working tools to upper extremities can lead to the development of „Hand-arm vibration syndrome“. This syndrome is manifesting through intermitent white fingers, paresthesia and hypesthesia of affected fingers, gradually clumsy and weak fingers. The whiting of fingers lasts even tens minutes, though the endeavor to warm up the hand and fingers. Hand arm vibration syndrome consists of neurogennic, vascular and fibrous tissue changes. In the diagnostics the cold test, plethysmography and EMG (especially sensory and motor neurography) are used. An important component of therapy is avoidance of cold exposure, change of regime and improvement of work load, medicamentous therapy (calcium channel blockers, pentoxyphyllin, drugs reducing platelet deposition).

Keywords: vibration, white fingers, plethysmography, sensory and motor neurography, avoidance of cold exposure.