Which condition is described as gradual wear and tear of the cartilage usually due to age?

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

Answer: (A)

Degenerative wear and tear of the joint cartilage as people age is osteoarthritis. In this condition the smooth articular cartilage that cushions the ends of bones slowly deteriorates with use and aging, leading to pain with activity, stiffness, and sometimes bone spur formation and changes in the underlying bone. The process is typically gradual and commonly affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and spine, and it often appears asymmetric between joints.

Osteoporosis, by contrast, is a loss of bone density that increases fracture risk rather than primarily degrading cartilage. Gout involves sudden, painful joint inflammation from urate crystal deposits, not a slow cartilage wear process. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that causes symmetric joint swelling and stiffness rather than progressive cartilage wear alone.