title: Upper limb musculoskeletal complaints among technicians working in a diagnostic tuberculosis laboratory: two case reports.
abstract: Upper limb musculoskeletal complaints are common among certain health professionals. We report two cases, both involving technicians working in a diagnostic tuberculosis laboratory in Hong Kong. A work process evaluation suggest that the need to repeatedly open and close small bottles, as well as to work for prolonged periods of time in confined areas, could be related to the workers' clinical presentation. The cases are also compatible with the diagnosis of repetitive strain injury (RSI) of the upper limb, but this term is not commonly used nowadays because of various definitional issues. A review of the various diagnostic issues in RSI is presented.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine Service, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Joyce Y P
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine Service, Pamela Youde Nethersole Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Department, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine Service, Pamela Youde Nethersole Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine Service, Pamela Youde Nethersole Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Marcus M S
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine Service, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Henry K H
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kwok
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D064790:Clinical Laboratory Services; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D053684:De Quervain Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis; D014953:Wrist
keywords: Case study; laboratory technicians; upper limb musculoskeletal complaints