Osteoarthritis (OA) (Degenerative Joint Disease; Osteoarthrosis; Hypertrophic Osteoarthritis) By Kinanah Yaseen, MD, Cleveland Clinic Reviewed / Revised Nov 2022 View Patient Education Classification Pathophysiology Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Key Points More Information Topic Resources Heberden Nodes Bouchard Nodes Cervical Osteoarthritis X-Ray of the Knee in Osteoarthrit... Osteoarthritis of the Hip Overview of Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a chronic arthropathy characterized by disruption and potential loss of joint cartilage along with other joint changes, including bone hypertrophy (osteophyte formation).