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Work Disabling Nerve Injury at Both Elbows Due to Laptop Use at Flexible Workplaces inside an Office: Case-Report of a Bilateral Ulnar Neuropathy

Author

Listed:
  • P. Paul F. M. Kuijer

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Netherlands Centre for Occupational Diseases, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Joris van der Pas

    (Self-Employed Occupational Physician, 5221 Den Bosch, The Netherlands)

  • Henk F. van der Molen

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Netherlands Centre for Occupational Diseases, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Background: This case report describes whether a female civil servant who developed bilateral ulnar neuropathy can be classified as having an occupational disease. Methods: The Dutch six-step protocol for the assessment and prevention of occupational diseases is used. Results: Based on the six-step protocol, we propose that pressure on the ulnar nerve in the elbow region precipitated the neuropathy for this employee while working prolonged periods in elbow flexion with a laptop. Conclusion: Despite the low incidence laptop use might be a risk factor for the occurrence of ulnar neuropathy due to prolonged pressure on the elbow. Employers and workers need to be educated about this disabling occupational injury due to laptop use and about protective work practices such as support for the upper arm and elbow. This seems especially relevant given the trend of more flexible workspaces inside and outside offices, and given the seemingly safe appearance of laptop use.

Suggested Citation

  • P. Paul F. M. Kuijer & Joris van der Pas & Henk F. van der Molen, 2020. "Work Disabling Nerve Injury at Both Elbows Due to Laptop Use at Flexible Workplaces inside an Office: Case-Report of a Bilateral Ulnar Neuropathy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9529-:d:464930
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David H. Seidel & Dirk M. Ditchen & Ulrike M. Hoehne-Hückstädt & Monika A. Rieger & Benjamin Steinhilber, 2019. "Quantitative Measures of Physical Risk Factors Associated with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Elbow: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-23, January.
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