Clinical Features

Patients with non-specific Work related upper limb disorders (WRULDs) have a variety of different symptoms in the arms.

Pain, stiffness and soreness predominantly affect the arms. Individuals with WRULDS may also have some neck and shoulder pain as well as stiffness.

Tingling, numbness, coldness or loss of sensation, loss of grip strength, weakness and fatigue are frequent symptoms.

Muscles in the arms and shoulders may feel hard and swollen as well as tender.

Symptoms may often be experienced in unrelated areas e.g. hand numbness may be caused by a nerve impingement at the shoulder. Occasionally in the initial stages of WRULD an area may not feel painful unless it is massaged and weakness may not manifest unless a long endurance exercise is performed.

Examination and Investigations

Examination may not show any specific abnormality apart from tenderness and an inability to grip adequately because of pain. There are often no objective abnormal signs and examination of the joints and nervous system is normal.

Investigations, including blood tests, x-rays, scans and nerve conduction studies are usually normal.

Amended November 2009