DEGENERATIVE OSTEOARTHRITIS

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🔹 Definition

 

Degenerative joint disease

 

The most common type of arthritis

 

Associated with aging, mechanical stress, and cartilage loss

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🔍 Clinical Findings

 

Joint pain (worsens with activity, improves with rest)

 

Morning stiffness < 30 min (important distinguishing feature from RA!)

 

Limited range of motion, crepitus

 

Commonly involves knee, hip, hands (DIP > PIP), cervical/lumbar spine

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🖼️ Radiological Findings (Remember the 4 Classic OA Features: “LOSS”)

 

1. Loss of joint space → asymmetric narrowing of the joint space

 

 

2. Osteophytes → bony outgrowths, the most characteristic feature

 

 

3. Sclerosis → subchondral sclerosis

 

4. Subchondral cysts → geode formation

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Why We Ruled Out Others?

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❌ Rheumatoid arthritis: Typically symmetrical involvement, erosions, and fewer osteophytes.

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❌ Avascular necrosis: Often bilateral, with subchondral collapse; here, typical degenerative changes dominate.

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❌ Septic arthritis: Acute course with erosions and soft tissue swelling; this patient shows chronic degenerative features.