Notice how the cartilage is no longer smooth and shinyâ¦ this is early degenerative joint disease. Degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis is due to the loss of articular cartilage within your joints. The articular cartilage is the cushioning that is on the ends of our bones. When we mature or finish growing, that cartilage is fairly thick, it is firm and rubbery â¦ and smoother than glass.