@article {Huisstede313, author = {B M A Huisstede and H S Miedema and A P Verhagen and B W Koes and J A N Verhaar}, title = {Multidisciplinary consensus on the terminology and classification of complaints of the arm, neck and/or shoulder}, volume = {64}, number = {5}, pages = {313--319}, year = {2007}, doi = {10.1136/oem.2005.023861}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group Ltd}, abstract = {Background: There is no universally accepted way of labelling or defining upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders. A variety of names are used and many different classification systems have been introduced. Objective: To agree on an {\textquotedblleft}unambiguous language{\textquotedblright} concerning the terminology and classification that can be used by all relevant medical and paramedical disciplines in the Netherlands. Methods: A Delphi consensus strategy was initiated. The outcomes of a multidisciplinary conference were used as a starting point. In total, 47 experts in the field of upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders were delegated by 11 medical and paramedical professional associations to form the expert panel for the Delphi consensus strategy. Each Delphi round consisted of a questionnaire, an analysis and a feedback report. Results: After three Delphi rounds, consensus was achieved. The experts reported the consensus in a model. This so-called CANS model describes the term, definition and classification of complaints of arm, neck and/or shoulder (CANS) and helps professionals to classify patients unambiguously. CANS is defined as {\textquotedblleft}musculoskeletal complaints of arm, neck and/or shoulder not caused by acute trauma or by any systemic disease{\textquotedblright}. The experts classified 23 disorders as specific CANS, because they were judged as diagnosable disorders. All other complaints were called non-specific CANS. In addition, the experts defined {\textquotedblleft}alert symptoms{\textquotedblright} on the top of the model. Conclusions: The use of the CANS model can increase accurate and meaningful communication among healthcare workers, and may also have a positive influence on the quality of scientific research, by enabling comparison of data of different studies.}, issn = {1351-0711}, URL = {https://oem.bmj.com/content/64/5/313}, eprint = {https://oem.bmj.com/content/64/5/313.full.pdf}, journal = {Occupational and Environmental Medicine} }