I was just diagnosed w arthritis of the facet joints of my cervical discs 1-4 after 2 yrs of seeing neurologists and neurosurgeons for chronic headaches and migraines. I was actually considering surgery for chiari malformation before my diagnosis, so, while it is a relief in a sense, I am also unsure as to what is ahead for me. I'm only 42, and I know that arthritis is a degenerative disease; what are my long-term options? I've just started a short run of steroids and it's too soon to tell if they are helping, but is steroids for 40 years a viable solution for a disease that is going to get progressively worse? Any help from anyone who knows anything would be greatly appreciated, thanks!