Degenerative conditions are chronic diseases, mostly referred to as degenerative lesions of the joints. Degenerative joint disease is often referred to as osteomalacia, and although the probability of developing osteomalacia increases with age, even young people in their 20s and 30s can develop osteomalacia for a number of reasons. One of the main causes of degenerative joint disease is the repetitive use of weight-bearing joints, which leads to the breakdown or damage of cartilage in the joints between the bones. Cartilage cushions the ends of the bones in the joints and prevents them from rubbing directly against each other; if the cartilage breaks down or wears away completely, joint movement initially occurs with friction, along with deterioration of the connective tissue between muscles, joints, and bones. Eventually, the bones move directly against each other, leading to severe friction, inflammation, and pain. In addition, trauma, obesity, inflammatory joint disease, and obesity can lead to degenerative joint disease. Patients can undergo CT and MRI tests to determine the condition and then decide if treatment is needed on a case-by-case basis.