Correlation between vibration-induced white finger and symptoms of upper and lower extremities in vibration syndrome

The correlation was investigated between the frequency of attacks of vibration-induced white finger (VWF) and numbness or coldness of the fingers and legs in patients with vibration syndrome. Some 1687 patients with vibration syndrome were examined and of these 342 chain-saw operators and 277 rock-drill operators had no disease other than vibration syndrome. Then subjects were matched by age and period of treatment within three years. In the last analysis, 20 in the VWF "almost everyday" group or in the "never" group, and 40 in the "occasionally" group were selected from the chain-saw operators, and from the rock-drill operators 32 in the VWF "everyday" or the "never" group and 64 in the "occasionally" group. The present study showed that, with the frequency of VWF attacks, patients had a higher prevalence of coldness not only in the fingers but also in the legs. These findings suggest a correlation between the severity of circulatory disturbances of the upper extremities and that of the lower ones in patients with vibration syndrome. Further studies on circulatory disturbances in the leg are required.