Medial plantar nerve conduction velocities among patients with vibration syndrome due to chain-saw work.
OBJECTIVE
The present study examined the effect of the vibration syndrome (VS) on the peripheral nervous system in the lower extremities.


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients with VS due to previous exposure to vibration from chain-saw work and 55 age-matched controls were examined for sensory nerve conduction velocities in the medial plantar nerve (SCV-P). The patient group was divided into two subgroups, one with (n=19) and the other without vibration-induced white finger (VWF; n=19).


RESULTS
Analysis of variance of SCV-P for the three groups showed significant difference (F(2,89)=10.65, P < 0.0001). A significant difference was found between the controls and the VWF(+) group (P < 0.0001) but not between the controls and the VWF(-) group (P=0.0508) by multiple comparison using Scheffe's method.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that VS affects the peripheral nervous system function in the lower extremities via mediation of circulatory disturbance manifested as VWF.
Hirata
M
M
Department of Occupational Health, Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Nakamichi 1-3-69, Higashinari-ku, 537-0025, Osaka, Japan. hirata@iph.pref.osaka.jp
Sakakibara
H
H
Yamada
S
S
Hashiguchi
T
T
Toibana
N
N
Koshiyama
H
H
Hirano
H
H
D000200:Action Potentials; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D020429:Tibial Neuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*