The research provides some evidence that non-specific arm pain is a different phenomenon to specific upper limb disorders. The evidence come from studies of risk factors.
Evidence from:
K Walker-Bone et al. Occupational Medicine (2006) Vol. 56 p 243 – 250
“Risk factors for specific upper limb disorders as compared with non-specific upper limb pain: assessing the utility of a structured examination schedule”
The main risk factors for diagnosable disorders were age,sex and general health. Some effect of work could be detected. For RSI there was no detectable effect of work. This casts doubt on any efforts to prevent RSI.
Further detail: