Which of the following defines joint inflammation that can lead to arthritis?

The correct term that defines joint inflammation, which can lead to arthritis, is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone, often caused by wear and tear, joint injury, or obesity. As the cartilage wears away, it leads to inflammation, pain, and ultimately arthritis, which is marked by swelling, stiffness, and limited mobility in the affected joints.

While sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, usually caused by a herniated disc or other spinal issues, it does not specifically address joint inflammation or arthritis. Arthralgia is a term that refers to joint pain without specifying the underlying cause, which can include inflammation but doesn't define it specifically. Adhesive capsulitis (commonly known as frozen shoulder) is characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint but is not a general term for joint inflammation leading to arthritis.

Thus, the term that correctly identifies joint inflammation leading to arthritis is osteoarthritis, as it directly relates to the conditions affecting the joints due to inflammation and leads to arthritic changes.