How to live with osteoaritius in my back?  I now have rods and screws in my back to hold it together. These rods and screws were inserted after my first back failure.  When I had this operation the hospital gave me two infections.  I have to take an antibotic for the rest of my life.  I had three back operations. One to insert the screws and rods and the next to get a piece of cement that was hitting my sciatic nerve. The third operation was to clean out the infection in the wound. I have been on oxycodone and lyrica for over 3 years for the pain.  With the osteoarthritis, replacement discs, and knee replacement the pain in my feet is unbearable without medicine.  What options do I have?