Affiliations: Occupational Medicine Service, Queen Mary Hospital,
Hong Kong, China | Occupational Medicine Service, Pamela Youde Nethersole
Hospital, Hong Kong, China | Occupational Therapy Department, Queen Mary Hospital,
Hong Kong, China
Note: [] Corresponding author: Henry K.H. Kwok, Occupational Medicine
Service, Room AB710, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
E-mail: henry.kwok@parkwayhongkong.com
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.
Keywords: Case study, upper limb musculoskeletal complaints, laboratory technicians
