Degenerative arthritis is also known as osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, and it is caused by the breakdown or "degeneration" of cartilage that is between the joints. The cartilage acts as a cushion, and when it begins to wear down, it can cause several unpleasant symptoms, which may become gradually worse over time.
Pain and Tenderness
One of the first symptoms you may experience with degenerative arthritis is pain and tenderness in the joint area. According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, the joint can be tender to touch, and pain may come with even a small amount of movement. In the early stages of degenerative arthritis, pain often occurs with repetitive motion and subsides with rest. As the arthritis progresses, the pain and tenderness may come and go, as doctors at JHAC report that the cartilage between the bones contains growth factors, which helps the cartilage try to repair itself. However, over time, the ability to repair itself is outweighed by the damage done to the cartilage, and repair is no longer possible. At this point, the pain and tenderness may become chronic.
Stiffness
The Mayo Clinic lists stiffness as another symptom of degenerative, or osteo, arthritis. The stiffness is most often noticed when you wake up in the morning, or have not used the joints for some time. After a while, the stiffness can lead to a loss of flexibility in the joint. When the joint is not flexible, you are less likely to use it, which can in turn create additional stiffness, causing a symptomatic cycle.
Bone Spurs
As the cartilage between the bones deteriorates, degenerative arthritis can cause bone spurs, or what the Arthritis Foundation refers to as "osteophytes." These bone spurs occur at the ends of the bones, where the cartilage is no longer cushioning and the bones can grate together. The bone spurs can appear as a hard lump near the joints.
Inflammation
The Arthritis Foundation also reports that as the cartilage breaks down it can produce inflammatory proteins and enzymes. When these proteins and enzymes are present it can cause swelling and inflammation in the joint lining. This swelling on the joint lining can also cause added pain.
