What Is Degenerative?

The term "degenerative" is commonly used as an adjective in the medical field. It is applied to a certain group of diseases or medical conditions.

Definition

• Degenerative in the medical field refers to a deteriorating condition. It is a state in which the state of one's organs, cells or overall health gradually declines.

Degenerative Diseases

• Some diseases are referred to as degenerative diseases. They are characterized by gradual, painful and progressive deterioration of tissue.

Degenerative Arthritis

• In degenerative arthritis, bone and cartilage in one's joints erodes, resulting in joint distortion. It is also known as osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease.

Arteriosclerosis

• Arteriosclerosis is another degenerative disease. It is characterized by the thickening and loss of elasticity of blood vessels called arterial walls. It thus results in a decreased blood supply.

Misnomer

• However, there are diseases labeled "degenerative" that are not strictly so. An example is degenerative disc disease: While disc degeneration is expected as one gets older, the low back pain it causes can stop growing worse, or even subside.