Repetitive strain injuries: has the Australian epidemic burnt out?

In the 1980s Australia experienced an epidemic of medically certified claims for non‐specific arm symptoms described as repetitive strain injury. Although a number of factors were mooted as causal of the epidemic, no single factor emerged as a compelling putative candidate. The present paper discusses the results of research which was published only after the epidemic had waned. It provides possible insights into the rise and fall of repetitive strain injury. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 416−419)