Question:

A 65-year-old woman reports to her primary care physician with a complaint of right knee pain that has been progressively worsening for the past 2 years. An x-ray of the knee shows joint space narrowing, osteophytes, and sclerotic changes. These X-ray findings are characteristic of which of the following?

Correct Answer: B. Degenerative Joint Disease

Joint space narrowing, osteophytes, and sclerosis are characteristic of Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD, previously known as Osteoarthritis). Osteophytes are unlikely in rheumatoid arthritis. Paget’s disease would show a diffuse demineralization of the bone that would probably result in a pathological fracture.