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Corresponding author: Ueli Aebi Phone: +41 61 267 2260 Fax: +41 61 267 2109 E-mail: [email protected] Rheumatic diseases – the burden of aging During the past century the average life expectancy has increased by nearly 20 years. While this definitely represents an unprecedented achievement, this gain is still on the expense of numerous diseases that are becoming more prominent in the elderly. In particular, osteoarthritis develops over many years by typically starting with inoffensive nonspecific aches that then often slowly but definitely develop into the full-blown disease. The development of osteoarthritis can be triggered by single events such as a sports injury or a trauma from a traffic accident, as well as by long-term risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, stress and smoking. Even somebody that never had a sports injury or trauma from an accident may eventually develop osteoarthritis. Scanning probe devices will aid surgeons to diagnose diseases and repair the human body