Musculoskeletal conditions (MSC) are the main causes of chronic pain, disability and loss of quality of life in Europe and the world. Every one in three Europeans reports a MSC, totalling 150 Million sufferers. The main complaints are back pain, joint diseases and osteoporosis. There is a clear increase in prevalence with increasing age. MSC are the main cause of Years Lived with Disability (YLD) in Europe. MSC are also the most prevalent work-related health
problems in the EU, three out of every five workers reporting MSC problems. Musculoskeletal (MSK) problems consume a large quantity of healthcare resources in both the inpatient and outpatient sectors. About every third patient in a GP clinic is there with MSK problems. In hospitals, MSC (9% of all cases) and injuries (8%) together form by far the largest group of conditions treated. About every third surgical operation is performed for MSC or injuries. Direct costs for MSC and injuries represent together the largest cost segment in health care. In addition, these disorders lead to very significant loss of productivity and social expense in the working population, equivalent in some countries to 1-2% of GDP. The ageing of societies will further increase these problems in Europe, as well as in less developed countries. Urgent activities must be initiated to address this burden by appropriate prevention, treatment and rehabilitation