Facet joint problems

Facet joints, the interlocking bones at the rear of the spine, can cause pain if the surrounding muscles are sprained (torn) or strained (stretched to far), perhaps by a sudden jerk or twist. They can also cause pain if the bones become worn due to arthritis or gradual wear and tear occurring naturally with aging, or if the discs that cushion them break down, causing friction as the joint becomes unnaturally compressed. Facet joint problems can trigger muscular backache by sending nearby muscles into painful spasms to immobilize the area.