.
New Zealand Medical Journal 1985;98:328
Repetitive Strain Injury, or Incipient Skeletal Fluorosis?
Smith, G.E.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Chronic fluoride intoxication may play a role in the etiology of some cases of so-called repetitive strain injury (RSI).
Early bone fluorosis is not clinically obvious; often the only complaints of young adults are vague pains in the small joints of the hands, feet, and lower back. Such cases may be misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. As fluoride continues to accumulate in bone, radiologically detectable changes may be diagnostic. They include fascial calcification along tendons and muscular attachments, particularly the interosseous membranes of forearms and legs. Before x-ray detectable deposits build-up in these tissues, microcrystals of hydroxyapatite must be present. Tendonitis and bursitis are occasionally associated with periarticular deposits of hydroxyapatite. A condition called "calcific perarthritis" often mimics acute arthritis. It is conceivable that some cases of RSI might result from deposition of apatite crystals in and around synovial sheaths and tendons passing through the carpal tunnel.
Publication Types:
* Letter
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/
PMID: 3863039 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
New Zealand Medical Journal 1985;98:556-557
Repetititive Strain
Injury (RSI) and Magnesium and Fluoride Intake
Smith, G.E.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Repetitive strain injury (RSI), a "new" clinical syndrome, is
characterized chiefly by a severe pain in wrists, forearms, hands and fingers.
Although to date, the cause and pathogenesis of RSI is obscure, it is clearly
related to frequent physical stresses; it seems to involve, mainly, musculoskeletal
structures.
In 12 RSI subjects fluoride (F-) levels in bone were appreciably higher
than 12 appropriate controls. Estimates of dietary intake of RSI subjects,
revealed a Mg2+ deficit and an excessive F_ intake. Fluorotic bone has an
increased Mg2+ content possibly due to some deposition of MgF2. The amorphous
phase in bone may act as a "reservoir" of ions available to regulate
plasma Ca, PO4 and Mg2+ levels. Fluoride accumulates in bone with age, especially
in areas of active ossification. A locally raised F concentration in an
osteocyte lacunae (during resorption) could interfere with normal functioning
of the cell, or trigger the precipitation of crystalline apatite, or lead
to the formation of MgF2. Any one of these reactions might interfere with
the passage of Mg 2+ ions from the bone "reservoir" into circulating
extracellular fluid. A localized Mg2+ deficiency could disturb pyrophosphate
metabolism and lead to deposition of Ca salts in sensitive areas.
Through adjustment of dietary intake of the previously mentioned 12 RSI
subjects which included more Mg2+ and less F-, eight of the subjects experienced
marked relief from previously painful RSI symptoms after a six week test
period.
Publication Types:
* Letter
PMID: 3861970 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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