I've had osteoarthritis since a few years before a discectomy in 2001. I recovered but some heavy winters in New York started giving me severe pain and stiffness. I started Steroid injections in 2012 after being out from work for a few months. They helped me continue working but they do degenerate bone in time. I was getting them every three to six months according to my pain level. More during the winter months. It caught up with me over the last 5 years and I needed a laminectomy in 2017. I was on pain meds but they were affecting my balance and are very addicting. My recent MRI shows a severly degenerated bone and meniscus in my lumbar spine. The steroid injections are very effective but they have long term side effects