This review compares the chondrocyte oxidative status causing cartilage damage in primarily degenerative (osteoarthritis) and inflammatory (rheumatoid arthritis) joint diseases. Human articular chondrocytes were isolated from patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, or from multi-organ donors, and stimulated with IL-1β and/or TNFα. The oxidative stress related to reactive nitrogen and oxygen intermediates was evaluated using NO2- (a stable end-product of nitric oxide generation) and superoxide dismutase (antioxidant enzyme induced by radical oxygen species). Results showed that nitric oxide may play a major role in altering the function of chondrocytes in osteoarthritis, chondrocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis are harmed more by radical oxygen species due to an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance.