Chapter 15: When Waiting Too Long Becomes the Bigger Risk

What happens if we put surgery off for too long.

Most people want to avoid surgery. That instinct is healthy and wise.

Knee replacement should never be the first response to osteoarthritis. There are many steps to take before it—education, strength training, weight management, targeted therapy, injections if needed.

But there’s a quiet danger in waiting too long.

We often talk about the risks of surgery, but we rarely talk about the risks of delay. There’s a tipping point where postponing surgery is no longer protective—it becomes harmful. And the damage that occurs while waiting isn’t just to the joint. It’s to the whole person.