&Osteoarthritis of the Spine=Osteoarthritis of the Spine, also known as degenerative arthritis, is a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Osteoarthritis of the spine affects the apophyseal joints of the thoracic spine. X-rays may show joint space narrowing of the disc space Osteophytes and sclerosis.