ABSTRACT
Hand-transmitted or hand-arm vibration occurs whenever an individual holds a vibrating tool. This could be a powered surgical instrument, floor polisher, demolition pick, pavement breaker, riveting gun, motorcycle handlebars, hair clipper, or a wide variety of other types of tools in a broad cross section of industries. Most of the literature relating to the perception of hand-transmitted vibration has been based on psychophysical experiments in which subjects are exposed to vibration with an extended hand resting lightly on a vibrating probe. Most of the interest with hand-transmitted vibration is due to the disorders that are often observed in populations who use vibrating tools. Disorders can be broadly divided into vascular and nonvascular categories. Primary Maurice Raynaud's disease is characterized by intermittent bilateral blanching of the fingers. Vibration-induced white finger (VWF) is a form of secondary Raynaud's disease. The first clear vascular symptom of VWF is usually an intermittent blanching of a fingertip, provoked by cold.
