Claims incidence of work-related disorders of the upper extremities: Washington state, 1987 through 1995.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the claim incidence rate, cost, and industry distribution of work-related upper extremity disorders in Washington. METHODS: Washington State Fund workers' compensation claims from 1987 to 1995 were abstracted and categorized into general and specific disorders of gradual or sudden onset. RESULTS: Accepted claims included 100,449 for hand/wrist disorders (incidence rate: 98.2/10,000 full-time equivalents; carpal tunnel syndrome rate: 27.3), 30,468 for elbow disorders (incidence rate: 29.7; epicondylitis rate: 11.7), and 55,315 for shoulder disorders (incidence rate: 54.0; rotator cuff syndrome rate: 19.9). Average direct workers' compensation claims costs (medical treatment and indemnity) were $15,790 (median: $6774) for rotator cuff syndrome, $12,794 for carpal tunnel syndrome (median: $4190), and $6593 for epicondylitis (median: $534). Construction and food processing were among the industries with the highest rate ratios for all disorders (> 4.0). CONCLUSIONS: Upper extremity disorders represent a large and costly problem in Washington State industry. Industries characterized by manual handling and repetitive work have high rate ratios. The contingent workforce appears to be at high risk.

Role of physical load factors in carpal tunnel syndrome

“…The diagnosis of the International Classification of Diseases (9th revision) appearing in the medical files was accepted as the basis for case definition, and 45% of the cases had positive nerve conduction studies. For the Washington State working population, workers' compensation claims show an incidence rate of 2.7 per 1000 workers per year with some industries having almost 8 times the industry-wide rate (3). Electrodiagnostic studies were conducted in approximately 77% of the cases.…”

Effect of Elbow Flexion, Forearm Rotation and Upper Arm Abduction on MVC Grip and Grip Endurance Time

“…A number of studies documented cases of forearm/elbow injuries in industries, most of which included forms of lateral epicondylitis, which is associated with forceful laborious tasks, e.g., wallboard installation, roofing, masonry, foundries, building construction, furniture making, paper products manufacturing and meat dealers, all occupations that involve repetitive, forceful work involving the hands and arms and requiring pronation and supination [14].…”

Costs of occupational injuries in construction in the United States

“…In an earlier study, Leigh and Miller (1997) reported that construction laborer and carpenter were two occupations with high costs of occupational injury and illness. A study using workers' compensation data from Washington State estimated that average direct workers' compensation costs (medical treatment and indemnity) for construction was four times higher than for most industries (Silverstein et al, 1998).…”