The authors submit a brief review of the most frequent painful syndromes of the upper extremities encountered in clinical practice. They used as a basis not only their own experience but also findings of neurologists and orthopaedists who have worked for prolonged periods as consultants in occupational medicine. Another source of information is, in addition to traditional professional literature, the internet and information published on its pages devoted to this problem. In practice it is relatively difficult to adhere in the whole Republic to the same criteria of assessment when establishing the diagnosis, deciding on treatment and subsequent assessment of the possible occupational character of these diseases. In particular recommended plans of therapeutic procedures (standards) may prove helpful. Their elaboration for the discipline is at present a foremost task. The authors mention unequivocal degenerative syndromes such as arthroses which are adequately described in the professional literature. Individual syndromes are listed with regard to the topographic anatomy. The compendium is meant in particular for physicians in departments and clinics of occupational diseases who are working for their attestation examination. Colleagues engaged in postgraduate studies may also find some of the information useful.

        Key words: painful syndromes of the upper extremities, chronic inflammatory processes