Arthritis is the most common cause of low back pain, especially in people over age 50. The low back contains five sets of facet joints, one on the left and one on the right side of each spinal bone. Like joints in any other part of the body the low back facet joints can be injured, or become inflamed.

Quick Definition of Spinal Arthritis

Arthritis is a general term that means swelling of a joint. The word arthritis comes from a combination of the Greek “arthros,” meaning a joint and “-itis,” meaning inflammation. The facets are the only joints in the spine. Spinal arthritis therefore means inflammation of the spinal facet joints.