Final answer:
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease marked by the breakdown of cartilage due to aging and mechanical wear and tear, differing fundamentally from rheumatoid arthritis, which is autoimmune.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chronic, progressive, inflammatory disease of bones and joints caused by degenerative changes in the cartilage referred to in the question is osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, often associated with aging and characterized by the wear and tear of joints, especially in the hands, feet, spine, hips, and knees. As the articular cartilage wears down, it leads to increased bone pressure and joint pain. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder affecting similar joints but has a different underlying cause, osteoarthritis involves primarily mechanical stress leading to cartilage breakdown and subsequent joint issues.