A decrease in the prevalence and severity of vibration-induced white fingers among lumberjacks in Finland.

Seven-year follow-up of white-finger symptoms and radiographic wrist findings in lumberjacks and referents.

“…The proportion of such cases was assumed to be similar in both groups. The same question concerning the last two years has been used in studies in which the prevalences of white-finger symptoms have been slightly smaller (8,9). Our study was a prospective follow-up of workers with a long exposure history.…”

“…The pr eval ence of wh ite -fin ger sy mpto ms among Finni sh lumberjack s was at its high est in th e early 1970s, when it was 40-60% (7,8). Du ring the I 970s, the prevalence decreased, and in studies conducted at the end of the decade, it was 13-18% (6,9) .…”

Clinical aspects of the hand-arm vibration syndrome. A review.

“…Hellstrom & Lange Andersen (38) did not find any observable changes in the muscular force of forest workers using chain saws when compared with that of nonusers. Subjectively this symptom was, however, frequently reported (56,73,98,110). Thirtysix forest workers out of the 187 studied in Finland in 1975(95, 98) felt a weakening of grip force.…”

“…Data on the prevalence of extensive muscle fatigue in the hands and arms of forest workers, 14 to 35 % of whom has experienced such fatigue, indicate that exposure to occupational vibration may lead to inadequate muscle contraction (56,73,98). Farkkila (25) and Farkkila et al (26,27) have consistently demonstra ted that acute and chronic exposure to vibration leads to a significant decrease in the muscle force of the hands.…”

Pathogenic and clinical aspects of polyneuropathies, with reference to the hand-arm vibration syndrome.

“…Epidemiologic studi es in Finland have shown that the prevalence of the most prominent symptom of the hand-arm vibration syndrome, ie, attacks of white finger, decreased clearl y with a decrease in vibration exposure (12). However, numbing symptoms did not correlate with vibration exposu re (5).…”