NBCE Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep Guide

The statement that denotes a typical experience for a patient suffering from facet joint osteoarthritis is characterized by persistent pain in the low back, which can sometimes radiate into the lower extremities. Facet joint osteoarthritis often leads to localized pain due to the degeneration of the joints between the vertebrae, and this pain can be exacerbated by certain movements or positions.

Patients may experience pain that does not reliably radiate significantly down the leg to the foot but can occur in conjunction with back pain. The pain radiating to the foot may be suggestive of nerve involvement or other conditions like disc herniation but doesn’t typically match the primary presentation of facet joint osteoarthritis.

In contrast, individuals with facet joint arthritis often find that resting in certain positions (like sitting) might provide relief, yet in the context of this question, the described constant low back pain accurately reflects the chronicity and source of the discomfort associated with facet joint degeneration. The pain can become more pronounced during physical activity or certain movements, although it is not primarily sharp in nature exclusively during those activities. Therefore, the focus on low back pain, particularly with possible radiation, aligns closely with what is typically reported in facet joint osteoarthritis cases.