I was rear ended in an auto accident, the damage was minorto the car but I felt something strange in my back right away. I have since had mild to severe pain constantly. An MRI revealed L2-3, 3-4, 4-5, L5-S1 mild facet degeneration, otherwise negative. Conclusion Multilevel degerative facet disease, otherwise normal. No disc herniations or nerve root compression. What does this all mean in plain English? If this is the cause of my pain why was it not present prior to the car wreck???