[Hand-arm vibration syndrome in a nurse carrying out gypsum cutting operations].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A professional nurse, employed mainly on gypsum cutting operations, developed a hand-arm vibration syndrome with Raynaud's phenomenon, neurosensitive disorders and impairment of the bone and joints apparatus of the hand and arm.

METHODS:

The nurse underwent diagnostic investigations (cold test, X-ray of the upper limbs, blood tests); also the vibration levels transmitted from instrument were measured and the exposure times were established.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:

Clinical investigations showed the presence of a hand-arm vibration syndrome with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon and environmental surveys revealed very high vibration levels, such as could be associated with the disease with a causal relationship. In the literature no reports exist of the vibration syndrome being associated with health care workers in orthopaedic departments. The case described in this study occurred because of peculiar organisational factors that most likely have never occurred in other hospitals or orthopaedic departments.

• Authors: Martina Speziale, E Picchiotti
• Journal: La Medicina del lavoro (Med Lav) 2009 Nov-Dec Vol. 100 Issue 6 Pg. 471-5 ISSN: 0025-7818 [Print] Italy
• Vernacular Title: Sindrome da vibrazioni mano-braccio in un infermiere addetto all'attività di gipsotomia.
• PMID: 20359139 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Arm Injuries (diagnosis, etiology)
• Casts, Surgical
• Hand Injuries (diagnosis, etiology)
• Humans
• Hypesthesia (diagnosis, etiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Diseases (etiology)
• Orthopedic Nursing (instrumentation, organization & administration)
• Paresthesia (diagnosis, etiology)
• Raynaud Disease (diagnosis, etiology)
• Vibration (adverse effects)