Hand-arm vibration syndrome

Dentists are shown to have a high frequency of finger-related and other upper limb symptoms and a high prevalence of osteoarthritis in the distal inter-phalyngeal joints. Work related vibrations are significant health hazards, which may have a number of serious consequences. The danger to the organism results from the transfer of mechanical vibrations from the equipment of the body. The vibrations are felt both directly at the point of application and indirectly through the whole body of the operator.[1,2]
This article discusses characteristics of mechanical vibration, mechanisms of vibration syndrome, multifactorial etiology of the syndrome, clinical assessment, laboratory investigations and classification of disease severity and strategies for the prevention and treatment of the syndrome.