Which of the following conditions can be associated with joint cartilage degeneration?

Osteoarthritis is a condition prominently characterized by the degeneration of joint cartilage and is often referred to as a "wear and tear" arthritis. This occurs as the protective cartilage on the ends of bones gradually deteriorates, leading to pain, stiffness, and a reduction in mobility over time. The damage to the cartilage can cause bones to rub against each other, further contributing to discomfort and the potential development of bone spurs.

In contrast, while gout and rheumatoid arthritis can affect joints, they do so through different mechanisms. Gout results from the accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints, which primarily causes inflammation rather than direct cartilage degeneration. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that leads to joint inflammation and can subsequently affect cartilage, but its primary mechanism is inflammatory rather than degenerative.

Fibromyalgia, on the other hand, primarily presents as widespread musculoskeletal pain rather than direct cartilage or joint degeneration. It does not involve the physical breakdown of cartilage. Therefore, osteoarthritis stands out as the condition specifically associated with the degeneration of joint cartilage.