Medicolegal aspects of fibrositis syndrome

The recent Australian epidemic of localized fibrositis syndrome is used to highlight the role of compensation and medicolegal systems on the clinical features and outcome of fibrositis syndrome. It is suggested that psychological factors are of great importance when this syndrome occurs after minor injury or de novo in the workplace. Current compensation and medicolegal systems usually negate appropriate management plans and thus lead to perseveration of fibrositis syndrome. It is suggested that public health policies in regard to fibrositis syndrome in this context need reappraisal.