HUR Medical Concepts 2018 | Page 62

Contents Hip and knee concept: Background and overview Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition of the joints, and occurs most often in hips and knees. Degenerative diseases of the joints have become the primary cause of pain and reduced healthrelated quality of life, especially in senior population. Knee injuries may be caused by e.g. abnormal twisting or bending of the knee or falling on the knee, for example during sports. Professional athletes who sustain knee injuries often require surgical treatment to restore the stability of the knee. There is a clear consensus that controlled regular daily physical activity and exercise training are major contributing factors in prevention, treatment and 62