Fusion of lumbosacral Facet joints?

Dear Ask The Doctor: Is it possible for the facets in the lower back to fuse together in the lower back without a surgery.

Dear Lori: No, that is not likely to happen by itself, what may happen is the lumbosacral facet joints by repetitive and compressive forces or frequent rotational movements may suffer degenerative changes in the cartilage and the disc which decrease the articular space. Athletes involved in nearly any type of sport are susceptible to what is called: Z-joint injury. From linemen on a football team, who may sustain repetitive and compressive forces to an extended spine, to baseball players or golfers, who perform repeated spinal rotational maneuvers, lumbosacral facet syndrome can impact athletes in most sports. Basically the conservative treatment of the Lumbar Facet Arthropathy is Physical Therapy aimed to recondition and stabilize the lumbar spine by postural re-education and  daily stretching routine for the muscles of thelumbar area, strengthening of abdominal muscles, and other important general recommendations as follows: sleeping with a pillow between the knees lying on the side, avoid activities that place additional strain on the lumbar spine (example: weight lifting). All of the above, with the objective to keep as far as possible the episodes of acute low back pain.