HAVS test

[Irishlew72]

Hello anyone I hope you are all good, this is my first post here so would like so say a sunny hello from Devon! 

 

Quite tricky to work my way around the forum atm being a new boy and working out how it all works so perhaps I have placed this topic in the wrong place, I do apologise in advance if that is the case but i wanted some advice/help regarding something regarding HAVS and wondered if any of you fine people could help, I’m a landscape gardener + love to work with trees 

 

To cut a long story shortish I have been in the business for about 10 years (29) self employed now and have done a lot of tool work ie chainsaw hedge trimming strimming etc and when I woke up after one weekend a month ago I had a numb little finger and ring finger on my left hand, called doc on the phone and he said sounds like CTS and to wear a splint which I did and after the first night the tingling went away more or less, but started getting pain now and again in both hands and fingers, not at work really just in the evenings and mornings..I saw a old retired doctor who I work for and she checked me over and knew I was really worried and did a few checks like felt my shoulders wrists and hands and said I haven’t got WHite finger but may have CTS so referred me to a sports physio who checked me out earlier today with grip tests nerve tests etc and said all was fine And thought I didn’t have CTS and and if I did was very mild but gave me a few exercises to do for a month because he thought I may have hurt my finger muscles but I’m so worried about having white finger, I haven’t got white finger tips but is there a test that I could get done to confirm if I do or not? What does HAVS feel like if anyone could tell me? Do I trust what they said and calm Down or keep pushing the doctors for more tests? ( I think my hands are feeling better now but it’s been a month now do these things just take an age to heal? 

 

 

[Khriss]

Have you been wearing gloves with yr power tools? If not - why not. It's the first barrier to White Finger(tm) k

Edited July 22, 2019 by Khriss
Full on White Finger cannot be cured

[Irishlew72]

Hello and thank you for your reply

 

I haven’t been wearing gloves all the time on the tools but after my issues have purchased some anti vibration gloves, haven’t been getting tingling in fingertips as such just a random pain now and again which is worrying me a lot 

[Ratman]

Sure you havent trapped a nerve?! Lad at work has had a lot of arm/shoulder issues for a good 6 months or so now. Hes been taking things very cautiously just of late instead of just “getting stuck in” and hes only lasting issues are now at his finger tips. Nearly all is back to normal but has taken a long time, hes been to see a osteopath regards it all and been given some physio and exercises to do which have helped dramatically, especially for his sleeping etc. He looks and deals with things in a whole new light now because of it, you’ve only got one body, look after it best you can. [emoji106]

[Irishlew72]

Thank you very much for taking the time to chat, has the chap you work with had any real tests to confirm if it is HAVS or not? It’s funny you mention that as my elbows sometimes feel like I’ve hit my funny bone and I haven’t ?... I’ve been spending fair time on the strimmers and long reach hedge trimmers over the years, so now got the new Makita Bl 30” hedge trimmer with anti vibes and a new strimmer which seems better at keeping the vibes down... God knows what’s causing it but like the person you work with perhaps these things take ages to heal 

[Khriss]

I started wearing  builders gloves 2 decades ago after Forestry aches started. Now at 50yrs an it ain't got worse. K

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

You need to be properly assessed by a Occupational Health Specialist (OHS) and probably at Doctor level (Tier 4)...and who is competent in HAVS, respectfully not a GP.  

 

Gloves are helpful but mainly because they keep hands warm, improving blood circulation, rather than damping vibration.

 

Battery powered machinery is the way forward.

 

Regards,

Paul

[Ratman]

Thank you very much for taking the time to chat, has the chap you work with had any real tests to confirm if it is HAVS or not? It’s funny you mention that as my elbows sometimes feel like I’ve hit my funny bone and I haven’t [emoji45]... I’ve been spending fair time on the strimmers and long reach hedge trimmers over the years, so now got the new Makita Bl 30” hedge trimmer with anti vibes and a new strimmer which seems better at keeping the vibes down... God knows what’s causing it but like the person you work with perhaps these things take ages to heal 

He’s had the elbow symptoms for 12 months or more now, but has practically gone with his new regime and careful outlook.

I have it at the mo in my right elbow, but mine is down to my building and plastering work, i get it flaring up and feeling worse when i start a new project [emoji51]

We have HAVS monitoring at work where we have to wear vibration monitors on our wrists, we use needle scalers, grinders, all variations of impact guns and air tools, and we NEVER exceed the “recommended minimum” amount for a shift.

BUT having said that, everyones body is different, some people can cope with certain things better than others.

Gloves have never been “proven” to combat HAVS, no doubt they will help in some circumstances but they are not a definite cure, although you can buy “anti vibe” gloves, if you read the literature with them it’ll say in one way or another that they are not a preventative but basically only an aid. (Another sales tactic! [emoji6])

[Irishlew72]

Hi Paul thank you for taking the time to comment, really very much appreciated! I look after a site (trees, hedges weeding etc whom is an occupational Heath centre ( they are all lovely) and that was when the woman asked how I was and I mentioned it to her and instantly she said I’ll get you in for a free assessment today, and the owner who is more or less retired but fully qualified gave me the assessment, it consisted of her checking my wrists and elbows and shoulders and basically having a good look over my hands and asking me questions, i said but how do you know it’s not white finger and she said “ Because this is my job “ and assured me I was ok.. But has told me to limit my trigger time on any vibrating tool for 20mins on 10 mins off so for instance do 20 mins of strimming and then do some weeding for a bit etc.. does this sound ok to you or is there some sort of machine I can put my hands on to tell? Sorry I’m a little bit stupid with stuff like this but so happy you have all written back

 

Regarrds 

 

lewis 

[Irishlew72]

That’s very true about the anti vibe gloves I think as I seem to possibly grub harder which makes my hands ache after too long