[Biomechanical pathology of the upper limb: a new epidemic?].

Work-related upper limb disorders are one leading occupational diseases in many industrialized countries. The paper reviews the evidence of work-relatedness of the most common upper limb disorders (namely carpal tunnel syndrome, hand-wrist and shoulder tendinitis, trapezius myalgia, hand hammer syndrome). Attention is drawn to the difference in the number of reported cases in Italy and other countries, assuming, as an underlying cause, underreporting of such conditions in Italy.