[Hooch]

U cant see facets from the side. But when the disc is that far gone (and that disc is complete fked, just nothing left), load transfer is increased through facets as well and they tend to follow similar degeneration.. therefore disc height is regained and facets mobilised, continued pain from mobilisation of arthritic facets joints that were previously stable.

If you google facet arthrosis, i found some ppt slides a while ago that showed it at three diff levels of degen. sorry just not in the mood for doing leg work, look through old posts go to member jstuckey blog, i wrote the link on there for one of her comments or look for size of gap between facets on coronal ct, on coronal mri look for thin black cartliage layer

or just get second opinions