Which condition is a degenerative joint disease due to wear and tear?

• A. Osteoarthritis
• B. Rheumatoid arthritis
• C. Osteoporosis
• D. Gout

Answer: (A)

This question is about identifying a degenerative wear-and-tear joint disease. Osteoarthritis develops from mechanical wear of joint cartilage over time, often with aging and repetitive use. As the protective cartilage wears away, the joint space narrows and the bone beneath becomes changes like sclerosis and osteophyte (bone spur) formation. These structural changes lead to pain with movement, stiffness after periods of rest, and reduced range of motion, especially in weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips. It’s not primarily driven by autoimmune inflammation or by metabolic bone loss, which is why it’s distinct from the other conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis involves autoimmune inflammation of the joints and often affects many joints with prominent morning stiffness and systemic features. Osteoporosis is a bone density problem that increases fracture risk rather than a primary joint degeneration. Gout is caused by urate crystal deposition in joints, leading to acute inflammatory arthritis.