Answer :
Final answer:
The provided symptoms of positional pain in the lumbar or cervical spine, which is relieved with rest and analgesics, best correspond to osteoarthritis, a local 'wear and tear' condition affecting the articular cartilage of joints. The correct answer is A.
Explanation:
The student's question pertains to identifying a condition characterized by positional pain in the lumbar or cervical spine that is relieved with rest and analgesics. Considering the details provided and the information referenced, the condition that best matches the symptoms described is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis involves the aging and 'wear and tear' of articular cartilage leading to pain, stiffness, joint swelling, and decreased range of motion.
It is commonly associated with mechanical stress and low-grade inflammation in the joints, contributing to the breakdown of cartilage and subsequent discomfort. Unlike the systemic and symmetrical nature of rheumatoid arthritis, or the widespread pain characteristic of fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis is typically localized and becomes more pronounced after activity with improvement upon resting. Degenerative disc disease may present similarly but is specifically focused on the discs of the spine rather than the synovial joints.
