America Experiences More Pain Than Other Countries [theatlantic.com]

Alicia Doktor 12/21/174:00 AM

When T.R. Reid, an American reporter, went to his American doctor for an old shoulder injury, he got a very American recommendation. The doctor suggested a total shoulder arthroplasty, a Cadillac of a procedure that would saw off his shoulder joint, replace it with silicon and titanium, and cement it into place.

Reid declined, then set off to get the same shoulder treated in five other countries, documenting the experience in his book, The Healing of America.

A French doctor demurred, saying a total shoulder replacement was only for those in constant pain. A British NHS doctor didn’t mince words: “You are living your normal life without much impairment. So [surgery] is not indicated.”

[For more on this story by OLGA KHAZAN, go to https://www.theatlantic.com/he...er-countries/548822/]

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