Clinical assessment of havs: Controversies in diagnosis and measurement

Authors

  • Ron House Department of Medicine, Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
  • Aaron Thompson Department of Medicine, Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada

Keywords:

Industrial hygiene, Occupational diseases, Clinical assessments, Clinical experience, Diagnostic tests, Electrode placement, Hand-arm vibration, Hand-arm vibration syndrome, Health effects, Musculo-skeletal outcomes, Occupational health, Test batteries, Toronto

Abstract

The health effects due to hand-arm vibration and their measurement are discussed. The information presented is based on our clinical experience in assessing hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) patients at the Occupational Health Clinic, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, a clinic with the largest volume of HAVS patients in Canada. There is good evidence that digital sensory neuropathy occurs due to hand-arm vibration exposure. There is epidemiologic evidence suggesting that various musculoskeletal outcomes may be associated with hand-arm vibration exposure. There is no single diagnostic test and a test battery is preferred with the overall results being interpreted by a physician experienced in HAVS diagnosis. Segmental or fractionated nerve conduction with electrode placement in the distal parts of the fingers is possible.

Additional Files

Published

2011-06-01

How to Cite

1.
House R, Thompson A. Clinical assessment of havs: Controversies in diagnosis and measurement. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2011 Jun. 1 [cited 2025 Feb. 13];39(2):78-9. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/2366

Issue

Vol. 39 No. 2 (2011)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

License

Author Licensing Addendum

This Licensing Addendum ("Addendum") is entered into between the undersigned Author(s) and Canadian Acoustics journal published by the Canadian Acoustical Association (hereinafter referred to as the "Publisher"). The Author(s) and the Publisher agree as follows:

  1. Retained Rights: The Author(s) retain(s) the following rights:

    • The right to reproduce, distribute, and publicly display the Work on the Author's personal website or the website of the Author's institution.
    • The right to use the Work in the Author's teaching activities and presentations.
    • The right to include the Work in a compilation for the Author's personal use, not for sale.

  2. Grant of License: The Author(s) grant(s) to the Publisher a worldwide exclusive license to publish, reproduce, distribute, and display the Work in Canadian Acoustics and any other formats and media deemed appropriate by the Publisher.

  3. Attribution: The Publisher agrees to include proper attribution to the Author(s) in all publications and reproductions of the Work.

  4. No Conflict: This Addendum is intended to be in harmony with, and not in conflict with, the terms and conditions of the original agreement entered into between the Author(s) and the Publisher.

  5. Copyright Clause: Copyright on articles is held by the Author(s). The corresponding Author has the right to grant on behalf of all Authors and does grant on behalf of all Authors, a worldwide exclusive license to the Publisher and its licensees in perpetuity, in all forms, formats, and media (whether known now or created in the future), including but not limited to the rights to publish, reproduce, distribute, display, store, translate, create adaptations, reprints, include within collections, and create summaries, extracts, and/or abstracts of the Contribution.