America makes up 4% of the world population, yet Americans consume 80% of the worlds narcotics.

Orthopedic surgeons only prescribe 8% of those narcotics when it comes to arthritis.  Other providers, PCP's and ER docs, prescribe 92% of the narcotics given out for arthritis pain.

Most studies show that for fractures and minor surgery you should not use narcotics for more than 72 hours.  And for major surgery the narcotics should not be used for more than 2 weeks.

This is not to say that you should suffer and take nothing.  There are alternatives to narcotics when it comes to treating pain.

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