TITLE: Differences in the quality of life of patients with degenerative knee disease treated surgically and conservatively BACKGROUND: Degenerative diseases of the knee joint lead to irreversible deterioration of joint structures. The main clinical manifestations are pain and reduced mobility, which endangers the health and reduced quality of life of patients. Degenerative knee diseases are on the rise. Different treatment methods are used to reduce pain, improve mobility and quality of life of patients. AIM: To determine the difference in health quality of life between conservatively and surgically treated patients with degenerative knee diseases. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 50 surgically and 50 conservatively treated patients with degenerative knee diseases. Data were collected by the Demographic Questionnaire Questionnaire, the SF-36 Questionnaire and the Vas-scale. RESULTS: The average age of the respondents was 65.31 years. Women made up 70% of the respondents. There were significantly more women in the group treated conservatively, and significantly more married in the group treated surgically. The groups did not differ significantly with respect to other demographic characteristics. Respondents treated surgically rated their health significantly better, compared to the group treated with physical therapy (83: 10.4). Overall health quality of life was significantly better in subjects treated surgically, they assessed their physical and mental health significantly better, they assessed all domains of health better than the perception of general health. The answers to all questions of the SF-36 Questionnaire indicate a better health quality of life of those treated surgically, only in 6 questions no significant difference was found. The reduction in pain was greater in the group treated surgically (8.3: 1.28). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment significantly improves the health quality of life and has a greater impact on pain compared to treatment with physical therapy.