Abstract
The article reports the results of the study of the structure and severity of the diseases of lower limbs big joints among the population of Zaural region of Russia. The methods of the general polling and questionnaire survey of the adults working in five main areas of public activity and non-working people were applied. It was stated that the females prevail in all study groups regardless of age and work position making up from 71.5 to 74% compared to 28.5 and 26% of the males. The main causes of the development of the chronic disease of the most frequently affected joints were revealed. The quality of specialized medical care provision was evaluated. It's insufficient in organization in the rural areas where 50% of all patients primarily applied to surgeons and therapists were the ones with the untreated osteoarthrosis of II and III degrees of the affection of big joints. Late visit of the rural inhabitants to a doctor was caused by financial difficulties due to heavy transport charges for a trip to regional specialized centers for examination and treatment.