Orthopaedic basis for occupationally related arm and neck pain

A prospective clinical study of 204 individuals with occupationally related upper limb or neck pain was initiated to determine the major symptom patterns, the physical findings, and changes in laboratory tests that are exhibited by these subjects. On the basis of this information it was possible to determine the proportion that was suffering from a recognizable, pathologically discrete, musculoskeletal disorder. The study shows that in the majority (58%) of these people, a discrete musculoskeletal disorder exists. The most common diagnoses were peripheral nerve entrapments (19%) and arthropathies (16%). In 42% a discrete diagnosis was not made and the nature of the disorder, in these, is discussed.