The wear and tear or degeneration that can occur in a joint is often referred to as arthrosis. The facet joints in the back part of the spine, which are joints that normally have a smooth cartilage surface, can wear out.

It would seem that you have this kind of wear and tear to a 'moderate' degree - did you have an MRI, and a report that you got these words from? Did the report (assuming you have one) identify which part of the spine, or which vertebrae are involved?