NPTE Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practice Exam

Degenerative joint disease (DJD), also known as osteoarthritis, is characterized by the gradual wear and tear of the cartilage in the joints. As the condition progresses, individuals often experience pain that is typically described as sore and nagging. This type of pain is chronic, usually exacerbated by activity and relieved by rest. It reflects the ongoing degeneration of the joint rather than an acute injury or inflammatory process, which tends to produce different types of pain sensations.

In contrast, acute and severe pain is more commonly associated with conditions such as fractures or significant inflammatory responses, such as those seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Sharp and fleeting pain may occur in situations like ligament sprains or nerve compression, rather than the chronic, low-grade discomfort found in DJD. Constant and throbbing pain is associated with more systemic issues or an inflammatory process, which is not the primary mechanism in degenerative joint disease.

The description of sore and nagging pain captures the essence of how individuals perceive and experience the discomfort associated with DJD, as it often leads to a reduced range of motion and functional limitations over time. Thus, this response aligns well with the typical presentation of pain in degenerative joint disease.