Kim Burton, a well known United Kingdom researcher, serves as the lead author for a review of work-relevant upper limb disorders.

 

Upper Limb Disorders (ULDs), although not predominantly caused by work, are common in work related injuries, and clinically challenging to diagnose and manage. This publication focused on occupationally relevant disorders and so excluded certain conditions such as rheumatic and systemic diseases. The purpose was to determine evidence managing strategies for work-relevant ULDs and explore the biopsychosocial approach.

 

The study utilized electronic databases since 2007 and limited articles published from 1996 onwards. Copies of some 200 relevant articles (three level strength of evidence) were obtained, circulated, analyzed and archived. The reported result was that neither biomedical treatment nor ergonomic workplace intervention alone offers an optimal solution. Multimodal interventions show considerable promise.

 

Early return to work, or work retention, is an important goal in most cases and may be facilitated where necessary by transitional work arrangement. The successful management of these conditions requires coordination amongst employers, providers and patients.

 

The article concluded with several key points: 1) ULDs can be triggered by everyday activities and over-attribution to work can be detrimental to recovery; 2) Many cases resolve with self-management and this should be encouraged although many benefit from treatment; 3) Intervention should take a stepped care approach, based on biopsychosocial principles.; 4) Early return to work is important, though some work may be difficult or impossible to perform for a while; 5) Work should be comfortable and accommodating.