Diagnosing upper limb disorders

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has developed a new method of diagnosis to help GPs and other doctors more accurately assess patients who complain of upper limb disorders, including RSI.

Around half a million people in Britain suffer from work-related upper limb disorders, which can not only be painful, but can result in disability if not correctly treated.

Upper limb disorders include a range of medical conditions which can be difficult to diagnose. Included under this umbrella term are carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion, trigger finger, tenosynovitis, frozen shoulder, arthritis, tendonitis and tennis elbow. Also included is repetitive strain injury (RSI), a term the HSE says is unhelpful in diagnosis as it is still ill defined.

The diagnostic aid that has been developed includes flowcharts and checklists and comes in two versions - one for GPs and another (with more detail) for specialist occupational physicians. Its purpose is to guide doctors through alternative diagnoses and help them to examine possible causes, including the work the patient does, before deciding what action is needed.

Trials of the aid strongly suggest it has the potential to improve accuracy of diagnosis of upper limb disorder cases.

Further information from Professor Rod Graves, Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, University of Aberdeen. Tel: 0131 451 5095.