The stylus of a phono cartridge is a consumable item, in other words it wears out with use, and can also easily become accidentally damaged, as it is extremely fragile.
Ortofon OM10 cartridge, minus stylus, which has been accidentally snapped off
As 90% of the value of a phono cartridge is in the stylus, it is often just as easy to replace the entire cartridge rather than just the stylus - this also allows you to upgrade to a better sounding cartridge to give you more enjoyment from your vinyl.
