Improving Musculoskeletal Health by Identifying Preventive and Therapeutic Approaches for Back Pain and Hand Osteoarthritis

Back pain and hand osteoarthritis, two common conditions, affect almost half of the population during their lifetime. Neither condition has effective treatment: most people have uncontrolled pain and disability. This thesis shows that it is possible to identify people who are more likely to develop severe diseases and respond to specific treatments. This information may help to develop more effective personalised strategies to prevent and treat these conditions, reduce their impact, and improve pain control.