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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Definition, Aetiological Factors, Diagnosis, Management and Occupational Impact

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Abstract

Introduction Thoracic outlet syndrome is a controversial cause of neck and shoulder pain due to complex mechanisms involving muscular dysfunction and nerve compression. Although management of thoracic outlet syndrome must be based on a multidisciplinary approach, physicians and occupational therapist should be familiar with the principles of diagnosis and treatment. Method, results and conclusion The purpose of this article is to review the definitions, diagnosis and management of this syndrome. A particular emphasis was described on the links between the workplace and the individual in the pathogenesis, prevalence in the workforce and the course of this disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unité de chirurgie de la main, service de chirurgie orthopédique, CHU Trousseau, Tours, France

    Jacky Laulan

  2. Service de médecine physique et de réadaptation, CHU Trousseau, Tours, France

    Bernard Fouquet

  3. Unité de pathologie professionnelle, UVSQ-APHP, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, 104 bd Poincaré, 92380, Garches, France

    Camille Rodaix, Penelope Jauffret & Alexis Descatha

  4. Laboratoire d’ergonomie et d’épidémiologie en santé au travail (LEEST), Unité associée à l’Institut de veille sanitaire, UPRES EA 4336, Université d’Angers, CHU, Angers, France

    Yves Roquelaure

  5. UVSQ-Inserm, U1018, Villejuif, France

    Alexis Descatha

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  1. Jacky Laulan
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Correspondence to Alexis Descatha.

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Laulan, J., Fouquet, B., Rodaix, C. et al. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Definition, Aetiological Factors, Diagnosis, Management and Occupational Impact. J Occup Rehabil 21, 366–373 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-010-9278-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-010-9278-9

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