Take Home Messages: Facet joints control the movement between the vertebrae of the spine. Wear and tear (osteoarthritis) of the facet joints of the spine is not associated with the presence of low back pain. Why the research matters: It has been suggested that wear and tear (osteoarthritis) of the facet joints of the spine causes low back pain, however this theory has not been adequately tested. Determining whether facet joint oste...