"Please Explain the Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis to Me," Says Another

Multiple Choice

"Please explain the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis to me," says another nurse."Is it just wear and tear so that the cartilage wears out?" Your best response is

A) "Yes; repeated use just wears out the cartilage, until it becomes thin and denuded. That causes pain and will eventually cause joint inflammation."
B) "Yes; with increasing age, the inflammation from repeated joint use accumulates and causes the cartilage to get thin and ragged until it disappears."
C) "No; cells in bone, cartilage, and the synovial membrane all get activated and secrete inflammatory mediators that destroy cartilage and damage bone."
D) "No; autoimmune cells infiltrate the joint and collect on the cartilage in a mass called 'pannus' that eventually thins and destroys the cartilage."