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The clinical examination of the musculoskeletal system is the cornerstone in the diagnostic process of rheumatic diseases. Next to this the clinical examination is important in evaluating the course of the different rheumatic diseases and the response to interventions. For instance in rheumatoid arthritis the joint scores—number of painful and swollen joints—are important in the evaluation of the disease activity of the patient. In systemic sclerosis the severity of skin involvement is measured with a skin score such as the modified Rodnan skin score, and in ankylosing spondylitis the spinal mobility is measured using different clinical scores. In general all these examinations should be carried out as far as possible in a standardized, systematic way.