Prevalence of epicondylitis and tenosynovitis among meatcutters.

The prevalence of epicondylitis and tenosynovitis was assessed among 90 meatcutters and 77 referents (construction foremen). All the participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire about subjective symptoms of the upper extremities. The questionnaire was part of the Nordic standardized questionnaire for rheumatic symptoms. The subjects were examined by the authors, who did not have prior knowledge of the subjects' occupations. The prevalence of epicondylitis and tenosynovitis among the meatcutters was 8.9 and 4.5%, respectively. One referent had epicondylitis, and none suffered from tenosynovitis. The results indicate that the meatcutters had a higher risk for epicondylitis in comparison with the referents. The risk increased with age and number of exposure years.