News concerning musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb related to repetitive work

Upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are painful conditions related to the overuse of periarticular soft tissues. The main MSDs are rotator cuff tendinopathy, epicondylalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome and non-specific pain. MSDs affect millions of European workers and represent the first problem of health at work in the European Union. They testify to the intensification of working conditions affecting a growing number of workers in the industry and services sectors. Their impact in terms of pain and disruption of career, but also economic costs, make it a priority of health at work. MSDs are multifactorial disorders associated with individual and occupational (biomechanical, psychosocial and factors related to work organization) risk factors. The prevention of MSDs requires a global and integrated approach focusing on the reduction of the exposure to working constraints, early diagnosis and management and, if necessary, an intervention of stay at work.