Capillaroscopy, nail anatomy and vibration white finger

Vibration white finger sufferers may find that they are invited by their doctors for a capillaroscopy as part of the diagnostic process. This is a simple and non-invasive procedure to examine the capillaries of the nail fold on the affected fingers.

The process is simple; a drop of oil is placed on the nail fold and examined under magnification to see if there are any changes in the small blood vessels, or capillaries, that feed this area. The magnification may be performed with a handheld dermatoscope. Particularly detailed views of individual capillaries can be achieved with a stereomicroscope, and some investigation is done with videocapillaroscopy, allowing moving images to be used in the diagnostic process.

The reason for looking at the nail fold is that it lets the doctor see the full capillary loops. A 2003 scientific study listed the potential flaws to look for as "enlargement of capillary loops, loss of capillaries, disorganization of the normal distribution of capillaries, 'budding' ('bushy') capillaries, twisted enlarged capillaries, and capillary hemorrhages (extravasates)". Any of these symptoms may signify scleroderma, a condition related to VWF.

Anatomy of the nail
The nail fold is the flesh of the last knuckle just below the cuticle, which covers the root of the nail, or matrix, which produces the keratin that makes nails grow. The paler half-moon seen at the base of the visible nail, or 'lunula', is part of the matrix.

It is the structure of the nail fold, with skin extending underneath to protect the matrix, that results in the high visibility of capillary loops that is useful in hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) diagnoses.

Vibration white finger compensation solicitors
If you suffer from a form of HAVS and you believe your employer or ex-employer may be at fault, through lack of training or other forms of negligence, then you may be eligible to make an industrial disease compensation claim.

For full advice based on your specific case, contact YouClaim, who can offer helpful advice in plain English, and - if you want to make a claim as a result of your condition - can provide you with the best personal injury lawyer for your needs from our panel, which includes VWF experts.

We offer more than a simple no win, no fee arrangement - you will be protected from our fees, from any other costs during the case (including your opponent's fees), and any damages awarded in a won case will be passed to you in their entirety under our 100 percent compensation guarantee.

We're easily reached: our free hotline is 0800 10 757 95, and our website lets you chat to us online or complete a claim form, which lets you tell us when we should ring you. However you reach us, we'll strive to lead your vibration white finger claim to its best resolution.