Musculoskeletal diseases are the leading cause worldwide of chronic pain, limited physical ability and reduced quality of life. Illnesses, complaints and injuries of the musculoskeletal system are among the most common medical problems in Germany and cause high economic costs (for example expenditure for disease-specific treatments, incapacity to work or early retirement). Most musculoskeletal diseases increasingly occur in old age. In light of the demographic development, the WHO estimates that the number of people affected by bone and joint diseases will double over the next 20 years.