Introduction:
Musculoskeletal conditions are often characterized by pain, as well as limited physical function. To alleviate pain accompanying musculoskeletal diseases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or paracetamol are used. Dietary supplements, however, are increasingly being considered by patients with these types of conditions as additional treatment aids. The aim of the study was the quantitative and qualitative analysis of dietary supplements and the subjective assessment of patients regarding the effect of supplements on the reduction of musculoskeletal disorders.

Material and methods:
The study used the author’s own questionnaire to conduct a survey in a group of 171 patients, including 110 (64%) women and 61 (36%) men, of a rehabilitation clinic in Katowice. The survey questionnaire consisted of questions concerning, among others, the types of past injuries, the use of dietary supplements, as well as subjective feelings related to their use.

Results:
Most respondents used preparations containing collagen (30.9%) and glucosamine (30%). Most of the respondents (43.6%) chose the supplement after consulting a doctor or physiotherapist. The large majority of respondents (65.4%) observed improvement after using the dietary supplement.

Conclusions:
The study showed that the majority of patients using dietary supplements that affect musculoskeletal function experienced improvements, most often after a month of taking them. Among the most commonly chosen dietary supplements were those that contained collagen and glucosamine in their formulation.