Industrial rehabilitation medicine. 2. Assessment of the problem, pathology, and risk factors for disability.

This self-directed learning module highlights new advances in this topic area. It is part of the chapter on industrial rehabilitation medicine in the Self-Directed Medical Knowledge Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article covers ergonomic assessment of upper limb and low back injury, medical diagnostics for upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder (UE-CTD) and low back pain, and an evaluation of delayed recovery following work injury. Advances that are covered in this article involve factors contributing to UE-CTD, lumbar spine-imaging techniques, and the high-risk variables that contribute to prolonged disability.