Degenerative joint disease is a painful condition that is caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Also known as osteoarthritis, this condition is the most common of all types of arthritis and usually occurs in weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and spine, as well as in the hands and feet.This disease is also called degenerative arthritis due to the fact that it gets worse over time. Cartilage provides a buffer between the joints where two bones meet and this buffer is under constant strain due to daily movements of the body. In ideal conditions, cartilage would consistently replenish itself to meet the demands of physical exercise and other activities.
However, inflammation and various environmental conditions can make it so that cartilage does not heal itself which leads to gradual deterioration of this buffer between the joints. When this occurs, the bones in a joint start to move against each other directly, causing pain that can range anywhere from mild to absolutely debilitating.
However, inflammation and various environmental conditions can make it so that cartilage does not heal itself which leads to gradual deterioration of this buffer between the joints. When this occurs, the bones in a joint start to move against each other directly, causing pain that can range anywhere from mild to absolutely debilitating.