[Hand-arm vibration syndrome in caisson miners]

Authors examined 43 caisson-miners with symptoms of the upper extremities because of suspicion of hand-arm vibration syndrome. Also vibration measurements were performed on the pneumatic hammer used by the workers. The acceleration of the vibration exceeded 2.5-3.5 times the maximum allowable level according to the ISO 5349. Symptoms and signs of hand-arm vibration syndrome were found in 39 cases (90.7%). The vascular, peripheral neurological and locomotor system of the upper extremities were affected in similar frequency: 54.8; 51.6 and 51.2%, respectively. The most common angiological alteration was the Raynaud's phenomenon. Neurologically predominated the tunnel syndromes. Among the osteoarticular lesions the degenerative phenomena were the most frequent. In most cases more than one pathological alteration occurred. Fatigue fracture of the spinous process of vertebra D. I. appeared in one single case, degenerative changes of cervical spine in 34 patients (79.1%). The very common occurrence of the locomotor alterations and tunnel syndromes respectively can be explained probably also by the high physical stress required by this profession. The detailed examination of the locomotor system is very important by the periodical screening of the caisson-miners.