• M Valentino and V Rapisarda.
• Clinica di Medicina del Lavoro, Università degli Studi di Ancona, via Tronto 10/A, 60020 Torrette di Ancona, AN.
• Med Lav. 2002 Mar 1;93(2):80-6.

BackgroundRhizarthrosis of the hand secondary to job-related static-dynamic stress is a rare occupational condition characterised by secondary osteoarthrosis.ObjectivesWe 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.MethodsClinical 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.ResultsPatient history and electromyographic and biomechanical data showed a close causal relationship between age, job and diagnosis.ConclusionsIn 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.

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