Physical causes of occupational neuropathies

Mononeuropathies (entrapment syndromes and compressions of peripheral nerves) and polyneuropathies develop during occupational exposition on the ground of physical reasons. The most common physical impact is overload, followed by exposition to vibrations transmitted to upper extremities, then cold, humidity, unfavorable position in work, and pressure on the nerve against a hard structure. Entrapment syndromes and outer compressions of peripheral nerves lead to the ischemic changes of fascicles and single axons, to development of oedema, to failure of the venous outflow, to the increase of pressure in entrapment and lastly to the focal demyelinization or axonal lesion. Over-limit vibration transferred via the upper extremity cause spasms of arteriols, leading to the tissue ischemia at the terminal structures of hand and fingers, to lesion of sensitive and later of motor nerve fibres and to the development of vibration neuropathy. Clinical and electrophysiological evaluation of these disorders is important. Treatment and the complex prophylactic measures follow. (author)