Final answer:
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by the breakdown of joint cartilage and bone, due to wear and tear. Symptoms include joint pain and stiffness, often worsening after activity. Treatments aim to alleviate pain and improve joint function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition characterized as a degenerative joint disease caused by wear and tear on the joints is known as osteoarthritis (OA). This joint disorder involves the breakdown of joint cartilage and bone, typically due to aging or prolonged joint wear and tear. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain and stiffness, which are most often experienced after exercise or prolonged activity and can progress to the point of becoming constant and severely impairing daily activities. Risk factors include joint injury, physical labor, certain sports, and being overweight.
While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, treatments like weight loss, low-impact exercise, medications, and in severe cases, joint replacement surgery may help mitigate the pain and improve joint function.