Facet joints on the back of the spine guide motion and can become thicker and more worn with increased load, especially after a disc injury.

“the facet joints are guiding of motion so uh you can see as I'm flexing and extending and twisting this model spine these are articular joints in the back that are guiding motion uh what you will find if I I know what I'm going to find if I look at your MRI at the level of the disc bulge the facet joints will now be getting a little thicker a bit more gnarly looking am I am I right because the Petes almost always two or three years after a major your disc uh injury they take much more load”