Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome is a condition associated with vibration exposure to the hands and arms. It is characterized by damage to blood vessels, nerves, and other musculoskeletal structures. The main work-related circulatory disorder is Vibration White Finger (VWF). Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome may occur with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Work-Related Risk Factors

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome is caused by the frequent use of vibrating hand tools that have a frequency range between 8 Hz and 1500 Hz. The most hazardous frequencies are from 100 to 150 Hz. Examples of vibrating hand tools include grinders, chipping hammers, sanders, chain saws, and jackhammers.

Development and Progression

Initially, the nerves are irritated by the vibration, causing the feeling of tingling and numbness in the hand and fingers. Blood vessels may be irritated and spasm, causing the fingers (especially the tips) to feel cold and possibly painful. Eventually, the finger tips may intermittently blanch. Blanching is often brought on by use of vibrating tools in cold environments. The blanching may last until the fingers are rewarmed. Attacks of blanching, pain, or numbness generally increase in frequency over time, and they may involve several fingers.At first, the attacks are caused by cold temperatures, but over time they may occur during milder temperatures as well. In cooler climates, improvement in the condition is frequently seen during the summer. For milder cases, when exposure is decreased or eliminated, nearly 50% of patients improve to near their baseline within about five years post-exposure. Improvement is not as good when HAVS is well-established, and some nerve damage may be irreversible.

Common Symptoms

Individuals with HAVS complain of tingling, numbness, loss of feeling, and/or pain in the hands and fingers. They may experience a gradual decrease in hand strength, reduced dexterity, and hand and arm muscles that tire easily. Also, they may have a cold feeling of the fingers and possibly whitening (blanching) of the fingers beginning at the tips.In more severe cases, shrinking of the hand muscles (atrophy) is possible.

Common Treatment

Most treatment for HAVS focuses on reducing work exposure to vibration. Quitting smoking reduces the frequency and intensity of attacks. In cases where extensive blanching occurs in all fingers, it may be necessary to change occupations.  

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel of the wrist. The condition is characterized by numbness and tingling in the palm side of the thumb, index finger, and middle finger.

Work-Related Risk Factors

• Forceful exertions of the wrist and hand
• Highly repetitive activities of the wrist and hand
• Prolonged use of vibrating tools
• Awkward postures of the wrist

Age, body mass index (BMI; a measurement of the relation between body weight and height), and gender are also risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome. Individuals who are older, obese, or female may be at greater risk of developing the condition.

Development and Progression

The carpal tunnel is in the wrist, bordered by the carpal bones on the back of the wrist and the transverse carpal ligament on the palm side of the wrist. Tendons that flex (bend) the fingers go through the carpal tunnel, along with the median nerve. The median nerve provides nerve supply to the skin over the palm side of the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger. The median nerve also connects to several muscles that move the thumb and part of the fingers. Anything that increases pressure in the carpal tunnel can reduce the function of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel.Increased pressure in the carpal tunnel can occur from the previously mentioned risk factors. Additionally, trauma, such as a wrist fracture, can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel. Nerve conduction studies are often used to determine if the median nerve function is reduced.

Common Symptoms

Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome have numbness and tingling (and occasionally pain) over the palm side of the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and occasionally the ring finger. Symptoms are often worse at night and may wake the person at night. Symptoms may be worse if the wrist is held in extreme flexion or extension.

Common Treatment

Conservative treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome includes resting splints and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, e.g. ibuprofen or naproxen).Injections of corticosteroids ("cortisone injections") may be beneficial in the short term. Stretching and strengthening exercises for the elbow and wrist are recommended after initial symptoms improve. Work activities should be modified to minimize extreme positions of the wrist.

When median nerve function is reduced and symptoms are severe, surgery is often needed to release the pressure in the carpal tunnel. In severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, loss of hand function may be permanent.

A comprehensive review by NIOSH concluded there is strong evidence from epidemiology and biological studies that exposure to hand-arm vibration causes hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).The risk increases as the magnitude and duration of exposure to vibrating tools increases.There is also a link between exposure to hand-arm vibration and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The precise level of vibration that is harmful is not fully understood. There are, however, U.S. and international standards that describe doses currently regarded as "acceptable." These standards include the International Standard (ISO) 5349 (1986), American National Standard (ANSI) S3.34 (1986), and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit value (TLV) for Hand-Arm Vibration.In general, the higher the acceleration level, the shorted the exposure time should be.

When operating a conventional vibrating tool, the tissues of the fingers and palm absorb more than 90% of the transmitted energy from the tool. This energy absorption causes injuries to the nerves, resulting in deficits in touch and temperature sensation. The small fiber nerve damage appears to be largely irreversible. Large impact tools, such as jackhammers, produce low-frequency tissue waves that can also affect the shoulder and neck.