Vibration white finger.

[Floatlikeabutterfly]

Hi tried to search the forum but my bloody phone wouldn't let me input into the search bar. Sorry if this is a repeat. But I love my job and it's starting to concern me a little.

 

Basically I'm a subby climber, have been in Arb 8 years. I have started to notice tingling and waking up with numb hands in the night. I have always tried to minimise power tool use, and use my silky instead of my topper when I can.

 

I have read a bit here and there about reducing your exposure to vibration.

 

I have tried climbing in gloves, but I find I'm over gripping with the gloves on, and the gloves slip about which has actually made the tingling worse come the evening. I climb standard drt with vt and 13mm rope as I find 11mm too skinny to climb on.

 

Has anyone found any exercises or handle wraps for my saws and trimmers I can apply.

 

Sorry again if this is a repeat.

Thanks

Ben

[Haironyourchest]

I get a tingling from my strimmer handles, less so with my saws. I tried wrapping my 461 handle with "gel" shock absorbing bicycle handlebar tape but it was a disaster, the tape wouldn't conform to the curves in the handle and if you don't do it in one, the end frays and the whole thing becomes a mess. I don't think there really is any wrap that will help, Ive tried several....

 

Better anti-vibe is the only solution as far as I can tell. Anti-vibe gloves maybe, but again, probably a gimmick.

[silky fox]

Just had tests done couple of weeks back...make an appointment to be safe...wear thick/ AV gloves when using groundsaw... check AV's on your machines...less trigger time.

[Pete Mctree]

It may be something other than white finger as your exposure is not that long within the industry. Perhaps reynauds syndrome or even carpel tunnel.

I would stop guessing & have some medical tests done asap to nail down the issue

[Pete Mctree]

Just had tests done couple of weeks back...make an appointment to be safe...wear thick/ AV gloves when using groundsaw... check AV's on your machines...less trigger time.

 

There is some debate with AV gloves. The fact that they are inherently thick & reduce your sense of feel can cause the operator to grip much harder. As a result the vibration levels transferred to the hands can be increased as opposed to normal grip with normal gloves

[silky fox]

Good point Pete...

[david wood]

i was getting pretty much all the symptoms of white finger last year and i do spend a lot of time on tools in one form or another. Work doc was ready to sign me off tool use for a year - just to cover their ass as no tool use - no job for me!

 

i totally didnt agree with them saying was white finger as came on too soon, ie in a hurry so i went to a physio i use and explained issues, he agreed wasnt white finger.

 

4 horribly painful sessions later and its cured, turns out issue was in my neck.

 

so bottom line is ask around, find a good physio and spend a little bit of time and money, may work out a lot better.

[Johnpl315]

Imo it would be unlikely so get white finger after 10years of chainsaw use. Av mounts on saws are so good now, the only time I feel has the potential is chainsaw milling.

I know of foresters who have been in the game 40 years, back then there where no av mounts. Back may be screwed but hands are ok!

[Backpain]

I think I've got trigger finger from starting my 260

[ChrisPlumpton]

I'm suffering from carpal tunnel at the moment. If it's carpal tunnel it's usually the middle 2 fingers on the effected hand that go numb first/the most. I lost the feeling in my right hand and fore arm last week for 7 hours. Sleeping with wrist splints on helps a lot. I'd definitely advise going to see your doctor. I'm just waiting for my op now.