Testing VWF nerve and blood vessel damage
Once all other possibilities have been ruled out and it has been established through extensive clinical examination that a patient is suffering from Vibration White Finger (VWF), he or she should then go through a process known as a standardised test.
A standardised test is comprised of three physiological tests that examine the extent to which Vibration White Finger has debilitated the nerves and blood vessels in the hands.
Blood vessel damage the Cold Provocation Test (CPT)
Although to someone with VWF the Cold Provocation Test might sound like an unpleasant experience, it is actually a very effective way of determining just how much blood vessel damage the patient is suffering.
First the VWF patient is asked to wear thermocouples sophisticated devices for measuring skin temperature on his or her fingertips.
The affected hand is then immersed in cool water for five minutes. Following this the patient is then allotted ten minutes to allow his or her fingertips to return to their normal temperature.
Throughout this ten-minute period the thermocouples continually measure the temperature of the fingertips, with the consultant recording how long it takes for the skin of the fingertips to reach four degrees Celsius.
The length of time it takes for the fingers to warm indicates the level of blood supply and consequently just how much nerve damage the Vibration White Finger patient has suffered.
The nerve damage tests
Thermal Aesthesiometry (TA)
While once again, when reading about Thermal Aesthesiometry it might sound like a benign form of torture, it is in fact another useful tool in determining the physiological impact of VWF.
The patient will place his or her fingertips on a flat piece of metal. The temperature of the metal is then variously heated or cooled with the intention of measuring the patient's level of thermal perception.
The level at which the VWF sufferer can perceive cold temperatures (the cold threshold) is then subtracted from the coolest hot temperature he or she can perceive (the hot threshold).
The figure established is known as the Temperature Neutral Zone (TNZ). The TNZ is the range of temperatures incapable of being perceived by the nerves in the patient's fingertips.
A broader TNZ indicates more acute symptoms of Vibration White Finger.
Vibrotactile Threshold (VTT)
The second test for VWF nerve damage is known as the Vibrotactile Theshold Test (VTT). This works by measuring a person's capacity to perceive vibration in their fingertips.
In order to gain a fuller assessment of the level of damage, this test of perception is performed at two different vibration frequencies. On a sensory level, these two frequencies should be perceived by the fingertips as either touch or pressure.
Once these tests have been performed, the consultant will then use a formula to work out the level of vibration perception damage caused by the patient's VWF.
Making a no win, no fee claim for VWF compensation
If you have developed Vibration White Finger as a result of exposure to excessive vibration in your workplace, you may well be able to claim VWF compensation.
The tests described above will prove useful to you in determining the severity of your VWF symptoms and may eventually have a strong influence on the amount of compensation your no win, no fee solicitor is able to secure you.
YouClaim have an experienced team of solicitors who specialize in representing claimants seeking compensation for their VWF.
All are governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and all work for you at absolutely no cost.
Win or lose, we guarantee that your compensation claim will never cost you a penny.
In addition, it may also reassure you to know that as we never take a cut and in the event of your win you will always receive 100% compensation.
If you would like to contact us today in order to make claim for Vibration White Finger, call us on 0800 10 757 95.
Alternatively, you may wish to speak with a legal advisor using e-chat, fill out an online claim form or request we call you back at a convenient time.
