[Rhizarthrosis of the thumb in ironing workers].

BACKGROUND

Rhizarthrosis of the hand secondary to job-related static-dynamic stress is a rare occupational condition characterised by secondary osteoarthrosis.

OBJECTIVES

We report 5 clinical cases of female ironers employed in small-scale laundries, who after more than 10 years on the job developed pain in the right thumb. Disease onset may have been favoured by the continuous functional stress exerted on the joint.

METHODS

Clinical examination, hand X-rays and ultrasonography of the trapezio-metacarpal joint led to the diagnosis of rhizarthrosis. The electromyographic and biomechanical analysis of work tasks was conducted by simulating normal ironing activity.

RESULTS

Patient history and electromyographic and biomechanical data showed a close causal relationship between age, job and diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In the case of workers over 50 years of age whose jobs have the characteristics described here, Finkelstein's test should be performed on occasion of occupational health surveillance to screen for the arising of the disease.