Cervicobrachial disorders in certain occupations, with special reference to compression in the thoracic outlet.

One hundred ninety-one workers in three different occupations were examined regarding presence of symptoms from the cervicobrachial region. Eighteen percent of the workers (27% of the female and 11% of the male workers) had symptoms of compression in the thoracic outlet. However, only 2% of all workers had pronounced symptoms of compression in the thoracic outlet. In addition, 27% of the workers (33% of the female and 23% of the male workers) had symptoms of other cervicobrachial disorders. Thus, 45% of the workers had symptoms from the cervicobrachial region. The workers with symptoms of compression in the thoracic outlet were significantly younger than the workers with other symptoms of cervicobrachial disorders, p less than 0.01. No significant correlation was noted between vascular compression and symptoms of compression in the thoracic outlet.