Osteoarthritis is best described as which of the following?

Osteoarthritis is best described as which of the following?

• A. Autoimmune inflammatory joint disease
• B. Bacterial infection of the bone
• C. Disorder of the synovial joints causing erosion of cartilage and underlying bone
• D. Degenerative disease of the ligaments

Answer: (C)

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative wear-and-tear disorder of the joints, characterized by breakdown of articular cartilage in the synovial joints with concurrent changes in the underlying bone. As cartilage erodes, the joint space narrows and subchondral bone undergoes sclerosis and osteophyte formation, which leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced function. This description fits OA’s pattern of cartilage and bone changes rather than true inflammation or infection. It’s not autoimmune inflammatory like rheumatoid arthritis, not a bacterial infection of bone or joint, and not primarily a ligament problem—the primary pathology is in the cartilage and underlying bone.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative wear-and-tear disorder of the joints, characterized by breakdown of articular cartilage in the synovial joints with concurrent changes in the underlying bone. As cartilage erodes, the joint space narrows and subchondral bone undergoes sclerosis and osteophyte formation, which leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced function. This description fits OA’s pattern of cartilage and bone changes rather than true inflammation or infection. It’s not autoimmune inflammatory like rheumatoid arthritis, not a bacterial infection of bone or joint, and not primarily a ligament problem—the primary pathology is in the cartilage and underlying bone.