Impairment of peripheral nerve in vibrating tool operators examined by nerve conduction velocity.

We studied the effects of vibration exposure on the peripheral nerve system by measuring and comparing motor nerve conduction velocity, sensory nerve conduction velocity and residual latency in 236 vibrating tool operators and 30 normal controls of the same age-distribution. In addition, thresholds of pain and vibratory sense were examined and subjective complaints were also determined by questionnaire. Local vibration impaired the peripheral nerve, either directly or indirectly, particularly, at the distal parts of the upper extremities.