Hand-arm vibration syndrome definition - medical term
A disorder resulting from prolonged exposure
to vibration, specifically to the hands and forearms while using vibrating tools.
Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and loss of nerve sensitivity. The hand-arm
vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a painful and potentially disabling condition of the
fingers, hands, and arms due to vibration. There is initially a tingling sensation
with numbness in the fingers. The fingers then become white and swollen when cold
and then red and painful when warmed up again. Cold or wet weather may aggravate
the condition. Picking up objects such as pins or nails becomes difficult as the
feeling in the fingers diminishes and there is loss of strength and grip in the
hands. The pain, tingling, and numbness in the arms, wrists and hands may interfere
with sleep.
Sources of vibration that can cause HAVS are very varied and include pneumatic
drills, jackhammers, asphalt breakers, power chain saws, chipping tools, concrete
vibrators and levelers, needle guns and scabblers, polishers, power jigsaws, sanders
and angle grinders, riveters, compactors, power lawnmowers and even electronic games
in which the hand controls vibrate.
HAVS was first widely recognized as a potential occupational hazard in the mid-1980s.
It was first known as "vibration white finger."
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