Upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorders, (UE-WMSDs) are one of the major causes of work-related disability in industrialized countries. Diagnostic criteria for many UE-WMSDs are still under debate, and several different national and international studies have attempted to reach a consensus agreement on the minimum criteria for case definition of UE-WMSDs. This paper describes clinical and diagnostic features of UE-WMSDs, focussing on carpal tunnel syndrome and rotary cuff tendinopathy.