Can people with osteoarthritis become crippled?
The vast majority of people with osteoarthritis are able to find some form of treatment that helps to relieve symptoms and improves joint movement. People with severe osteoarthritis can benefit from surgery to rebuild or replace the affected joint. Fortunately, people with osteoarthritis rarely become crippled. When this does occur, it is usually because the person has refused surgery or cannot tolerate surgery because of other medical problems. How risky is surgery for osteoarthritis? Total hip replacement surgery and total knee replacement surgery are among the most common surgeries performed in the United States. Any major surgery (that is, surgery that requires general anesthesia and takes weeks of recovery time) carries risk, but vast experience with these surgeries has helped to make these procedures safe and effective. Arthroscopy (camera-guided surgery) is another surgical approach to osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy is not considered major surgery; however, recent studies suggest t
