ABSTRACT
The musculoskeletal system is an essential component in population health. Coordination and balance, stable and painless joints and spine, strong muscle and bones are crucial factors comprising musculoskeletal health. Musculoskeletal conditions including osteoporosis, sarcopenia, fragility fractures and osteoarthritis interfere with general wellbeing, increase risk of developing chronic diseases, as well as increase all-cause mortality. These conditions represent a threat to healthy ageing and are expected to become more significant in the coming years, leading to a growing public health and socio-economic burden in the community. With the declining condition in musculoskeletal system, falls have become a common problem among elderly community dwellers. Undesired consequences of falls include fractures, mental health declines and health care costs place a large negative impact to the quality of life, while persistent pain from musculoskeletal conditions including fractures after falls and osteoarthritis are serious co-morbidities to patients. Falls prevention, community rehabilitation and pain management are therefore important to restore mobility and function and potentially prevent elderlies from complications and deterioration. This chapter introduces the importance of musculoskeletal health, illustrates causes and consequences of falls and fall prevention measures, reviews effectiveness of community rehabilitation, exemplifies pain management for musculoskeletal conditions and explores novel sciences and technologies for the prevention of falls.
