The Joint Replacement Podcast

Matthew Sloan, MD

Hosted by orthopedic surgeon Matthew Sloan, MD, Director of Robotics in Orthopedic Surgery at Emerson Health in Concord, Massachusetts, this podcast helps patients understand hip and knee replacement surgery. Dr. Sloan interviews leading joint replacement surgeons about robotic surgery, implant technology, recovery, and how to choose the right surgeon. Clear, expert guidance for anyone considering joint replacement or looking to stay active and pain-free.

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S2 · E55
Today · 1 hr 2 min
#55 - How Do You Know When It’s Really Time for Joint Replacement? Randall Schultz, MD
How do you know when it’s really time for a hip or knee replacement? Dr. Matthew Sloan is joined by Dr. Randall Schultz, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Texas Orthopedics and creator of The Surgeon Unmasked. After more than three decades in orthopedic surgery and thousands of joint replacements, Dr. Schultz brings an especially unusual perspective to the conversation: he has also undergone a knee replacement himself. Dr. Schultz shares what becoming a patient taught him about recovery, pain, expectations, and how difficult it can be to decide when surgery is finally necessary. He describes realizing that his own “world was shrinking” as arthritis gradually forced him to give up activities he valued. They discuss: • How to know when hip or knee arthritis is severe enough for surgery • Whether you really need to be “bone on bone” • Whether patients can wait too long for joint replacement • Exercise, weight loss, cortisone, gel injections, PRP, and other nonsurgical options • Partial versus total knee replacement • How to choose a hip or knee replacement surgeon • Whether surgeon volume matters • Robotics versus computer navigation versus manual knee replacement • Whether implant brands actually matter • Anterior versus posterior hip replacement • Subvastus and “minimally invasive” knee replacement approaches • What knee replacement recovery actually feels like • The role of the “quiet knee” approach after surgery • Opioid-free joint replacement and realistic pain expectations • What patients should understand before choosing surgery Dr. Schultz also challenges some of the marketing surrounding modern joint replacement, arguing that technology and branded surgical approaches should not distract from the fundamentals: choosing the right patient, performing the operation well, and setting realistic expectations. For patients considering hip or knee replacement, this episode offers the perspective of someone who has spent his career performing these operations — and has experienced knee replacement from the other side of the operating table. Find Dr. Randall Schultz on YouTube at The Surgeon Unmasked and at TheSurgeonUnmasked.com. Subscribe to The Joint Replacement Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
S2 · E54
Tuesday · 57 min
#54 - Can You Prevent Arthritis & Joint Replacement? Jocelyn Wittstein, MD
What happens to a joint decades before someone needs a replacement—and can we change that trajectory? Duke orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein joins Dr. Matthew Sloan to discuss ACL injuries, post-traumatic arthritis, menopause, osteoporosis, cartilage health, and strategies for maintaining healthy bones and joints throughout life. They discuss why ACL reconstruction does not eliminate the risk of arthritis, the importance of the meniscus, whether running causes arthritis, how menopause affects cartilage and joint inflammation, when women should consider bone-density testing, and how resistance training, nutrition, and activity modification may help preserve musculoskeletal health. They also explore treatment options for mild to moderate arthritis, including anti-inflammatory medications, PRP, viscosupplementation, supplements, and how patients can decide which activities are still worth doing when a joint becomes symptomatic. A fascinating conversation about what happens long before joint replacement—and the rapidly evolving science of preventing or slowing the path toward it.
S2 · E3
September 25 · 26 min
#53 - Are Robotics the Future of Joint Replacement? Prof. Fares Haddad
Professor Fares Haddad joins The Joint Replacement Podcast to discuss how technology, robotics, and increasingly personalized surgical planning are changing hip and knee replacement. We explore his career across arthroplasty, complex revision surgery, elite sports, research, and editorial leadership, and how his surgical philosophy has evolved toward three-dimensional planning, cruciate preservation, partial knee replacement, and functional alignment. The centerpiece of the conversation is his recent randomized study of robotic-assisted versus conventional medial partial knee replacement. We discuss why partial knees may be particularly suited to robotics, improved implant positioning, differences in Forgotten Joint Score, criticisms of implant-to-implant comparisons, and whether increased precision is worth the added cost. We also discuss the RACER trial, mechanical versus functional alignment, why precision alone may not improve outcomes if surgeons are aiming at the wrong target, and how predictive analytics could eventually help determine patient-specific implant positioning. Finally, Professor Haddad shares his perspective as Editor-in-Chief of The Bone & Joint Journal on evaluating new evidence, answers whether robotic joint replacement is truly “better,” explains who may be a candidate for partial knee replacement, and describes why robotics may ultimately prove most valuable in complex hip and revision surgery.
S2 · E52
September 25 · 14 min
#52 - Am I Too Young for Joint Replacement?
“You’re too young for a joint replacement. Come back when you’re 60.” Is that still good advice? In this episode, Dr. Matthew Sloan breaks down how surgeons approach hip and knee replacement in younger patients and why chronological age is only one part of the decision. We discuss why joint replacement was historically delayed in younger patients, how modern implant materials have changed expectations for longevity, and why a patient who has surgery at 40 still needs an honest conversation about lifetime revision risk. We also explore the other side of the equation: what can happen when someone with severe arthritis spends years waiting. Loss of muscle, reduced activity, weight gain, poor sleep, inability to work or exercise, and progressive loss of quality of life all matter when deciding when surgery is appropriate. Dr. Sloan also reviews conditions frequently seen in younger patients, including hip dysplasia, femoroacetabular impingement, avascular necrosis, previous ACL or meniscus injuries, fractures, and post-traumatic arthritis. Finally, we discuss activity after joint replacement, revision surgery, and the key question younger patients should ask when they are told to wait: “What exactly are we waiting for?” The right time for joint replacement is not determined by a birthday. It is a balance between the severity of the disease, its effect on your life, the alternatives that remain, and the expected risks and benefits of surgery.
S2 · E51
September 23 · 32 min
#51 - Is Medical Clearance Before Joint Replacement Necessary? Tyler Thurman, DO
What does it really mean when your surgeon says you need “medical clearance” before a hip or knee replacement? Hospitalist and internal medicine physician Tyler Thurman, DO (@hospitaldoctort), joins The Joint Replacement Podcast to explain why physicians often prefer the term risk stratification—and what they are actually looking for before a patient goes to the operating room. We discuss cardiac risk, EKG abnormalities, blood pressure, diabetes, sodium, anemia, kidney disease, hip fracture timing, preoperative testing, and which medical problems truly justify delaying surgery. We also tackle the sometimes very different ways orthopedic surgeons and internal medicine physicians think about patients. Then things get less serious. Tyler and I go through a rapid-fire orthopedic surgery vs medicine lightning round: Why do hospitalists care so much about sodium? Which lab value do orthopedic surgeons understand the least? Who is more dangerous—an orthopedic surgeon reading an EKG or an internist reading a postoperative X-ray? And what do hospitalists actually think about all those orthopedic medical-management consults? A practical—and occasionally sarcastic—look at what really happens medically before and after joint replacement surgery.
S1 · E50
September 22 · 17 min
#50 - Season One Finale — What We Learned About Joint Replacement
Fifty episodes. One season. A lot of questions about how we can make joint replacement better. In this special Season One finale, Dr. Matthew Sloan looks back at the conversations, debates, patient stories, and ideas that shaped the first 49 episodes of The Joint Replacement Podcast. Hear memorable moments about deciding when it is time for joint replacement, same-day surgery, recovery after knee replacement, modern implant longevity, the surgeon becoming the patient, the RACER Knee Trial, robotic precision and alignment, complex revision surgery, periprosthetic joint infection, OR teamwork, surgical training, and the changing economics of orthopedic care. The episode closes with the lessons Matthew has taken from the first season and an invitation for listeners to help shape what comes next. Thank you to every guest, patient, surgeon, trainee, nurse, PA, surgical technologist, therapist, researcher, engineer, industry partner, listener, and viewer who helped build this community. What do you want to see in Season Two? Send us your guest suggestions, controversial topics, new technologies, research questions, patient stories, or anything else you think deserves a deeper conversation. We’re just getting started.
S1 · E49
September 17 · 53 min
#49 - How do you build an academic career? Andrew Schneider, MD
Dr. Andrew Schneider joins The Joint Replacement Podcast to discuss what it is really like to build a career as a young academic arthroplasty surgeon. We talk about why he chose academics, transitioning from fellowship to attending life, building a referral base, balancing clinical volume with research and teaching, working with residents and fellows as a young attending, finding mentors, developing meaningful industry collaborations, and deciding which opportunities are actually worth pursuing early in a surgical career. Dr. Schneider also shares his clinical philosophy on robotic-assisted joint replacement, why he combines robotics with kinematic alignment in total knee replacement, how he thinks about accuracy and precision in the current robotics debate, and why he believes partial knee replacement remains underutilized in appropriately selected patients. We finish with anterior versus posterior hip replacement, the future of robotic surgery, artificial intelligence, big data, and a potential future where personalized surgical planning is informed by the outcomes of thousands of patients with similar anatomy and clinical characteristics. An especially valuable conversation for orthopedic residents, adult reconstruction fellows, junior faculty, and surgeons interested in robotics and the future of arthroplasty.
S1 · E48
September 16 · 59 min
#48 - What is Knee Replacement Recovery Really Like? Diana Braun
What does knee replacement recovery really feel like? Diana Braun knows firsthand. After delaying surgery for nearly a decade, she ultimately underwent simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement. That experience eventually led her to co-found The Knee Zone and co-author Knee Replacement Secrets with her husband, joint replacement surgeon Dr. Raj Sinha. In this episode, Diana joins Dr. Matthew Sloan to discuss the patient side of knee replacement: how she knew it was finally time for surgery, why the mental recovery was harder than she expected, what bilateral knee replacement was really like, and why patients should think in terms of months rather than weeks when setting expectations. They also discuss sleep, prehab, swelling, compression, assistive devices, driving, stairs, preparing your home, choosing a surgeon, avoiding the temptation to do too much too soon, and the importance of identifying the activities you want to get back to before surgery. For anyone considering knee replacement, currently recovering, or caring for joint replacement patients, this conversation offers a practical and candid look at the recovery journey from someone who has lived it. For more information visit https://thekneezone.com/ You can find her book Knee Replacement Secrets on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0cg5WcFp
S1 · E47
September 15 · 54 min
#47 - How Do You Match Into Adult Reconstruction Fellowship? Bill Hamilton, MD
What does it really take to match into an adult reconstruction fellowship? In Episode #47, Dr. Bill Hamilton of the Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic joins me for a practical guide for orthopedic residents preparing for fellowship. We discuss when to start preparing, what fellowship directors actually look for, research and recommendation letters, preference signaling, interview strategy, and how to build your rank list. We also explore how residents should evaluate case volume, surgical autonomy, revision exposure, fellowship culture, clinic experience, robotics, manual surgical training, and academic versus private-practice programs. Dr. Hamilton shares fascinating data from his upcoming study of the adult reconstruction fellowship match. The current environment appears increasingly applicant-friendly, with more fellowship positions available and applicants increasingly matching near the top of their rank lists. He explains why many applicants may only need 7–10 high-quality interviews rather than 15–20, and what residents should focus on instead. If you’re a PGY-2, PGY-3, or PGY-4 considering a career in hip and knee replacement, this is an episode worth saving before fellowship application season. For more information on the Learning SHAK visit https://www.learningshak.org/ Current Concepts in Joint Replacement information can be found at https://www.ccjr.com/
S1 · E46
September 11 · 1 hr 2 min
#46 - Is Medicare Cutting Payments 20 Percent? Max Courtney, MD
Maxwell Courtney, MD joins Episode 46 of The Joint Replacement Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about arthroplasty, research, health policy, and one of the biggest challenges currently facing joint replacement surgeons. Dr. Courtney is Division Chief of Adult Reconstruction at Rothman Orthopaedics, an accomplished joint replacement surgeon and researcher, and Chair of the AAHKS Advocacy Committee. He was also my chief resident during my orthopedic training at Penn and someone I have looked up to throughout my career. We discuss Max’s path into adult reconstruction, building a successful surgical practice, mentorship, research, evidence-based medicine, and how joint replacement has transformed over the past decade through TXA, multimodal pain management, rapid recovery protocols, and outpatient surgery. Then we turn to the proposed Medicare reimbursement cuts facing total hip and knee replacement. Max explains how CMS and the AMA RUC value physician work, why increasingly efficient outpatient care has triggered another review of arthroplasty codes, and why much of the postoperative work performed by modern orthopedic teams may not be captured in the current reimbursement system. We also discuss Max’s recent trip to Washington, DC, his conversations with members of Congress, the AAHKS strategy to push back against the cuts, the potential consequences for Medicare access and private practice, and his prediction for what may happen when the final 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is released. This is an important conversation about not only what surgeons are paid, but how reimbursement policy may shape patient access, physician independence, and the future of joint replacement in the United States.
S1 · E45
September 10 · 1 hr 4 min
#45 - How Can We Treat Joint Replacement Infection Better? Jesse Otero, MD, PhD
Dr. Jesse Otero, MD, PhD joins The Joint Replacement Podcast for a deep conversation about complex joint replacement, periprosthetic joint infection, research, and building a career around the patients other surgeons often find most challenging. Jesse shares the unconventional strategy he used to build a busy practice early in his career, including calling local surgeons and offering to take the revision, infection, and complex cases they did not want to manage. His first 17 cases were infected revisions, helping establish a career focused on being the surgeon other surgeons call when a case becomes difficult. He also tells the deeply personal story of his grandfather’s knee replacement complication and subsequent infection, an experience that helped redirect his career toward solving the devastating problem of PJI. We then discuss how the OrthoCarolina PJI program developed a registry containing approximately 5,500 patients, how a busy private practice can still produce high-level clinical research, and why standardizing care can transform everyday clinical practice into a research engine. Finally, Jesse breaks down their prospective randomized multicenter trial of one-stage versus two-stage exchange for chronic periprosthetic joint infection headed by his colleague Thomas K. Fehring, MD. Among 232 randomized patients, infection-free success at two years was 97% after one-stage exchange versus 91% after two-stage exchange, with the trial demonstrating noninferiority of the one-stage strategy when performed using their rigorous protocol. A fascinating discussion about surgical complexity, research, complications, resilience, and what may be the next major evolution in treating infected hip and knee replacements.
S1 · E44
September 9 · 34 min
#44 - Can Ultrasound Treat Arthritis Without Injections? George Lewis, PhD
Disclosure: Dr. Matthew Sloan serves as a paid physician consultant and key opinion leader for ZetrOZ Systems, manufacturer of SAM ultrasound technology. Can sound waves actually help treat arthritis? Dr. Matthew Sloan is joined by George Lewis, PhD, CEO of ZetrOZ Systems, to discuss Sustained Acoustic Medicine (SAM) and the evolving role of therapeutic ultrasound in treating knee arthritis and musculoskeletal pain. They break down how therapeutic ultrasound differs from the ultrasound used for medical imaging, what ultrasound may be doing at the tissue level, and why delivering treatment for several hours at home is fundamentally different from the short ultrasound sessions traditionally used in physical therapy. The conversation explores who may benefit most from SAM, including patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis, whether it has a role in bone-on-bone arthritis, and an important distinction between preserving a joint and actually regrowing cartilage. They also compare ultrasound with cortisone injections, hyaluronic acid, PRP, TENS, laser, red light, and other nonsurgical treatments; discuss its use in professional athletics; review cost and insurance coverage; and address potential risks and contraindications. Finally, Dr. Lewis shares the story behind developing a wearable therapeutic ultrasound device and his vision for where nonsurgical arthritis treatment may be headed. If you have knee arthritis and are looking for options beyond medications, injections, or surgery, this episode provides a detailed look at one of the technologies trying to fill that gap. #wearableultrasound #medtech #innovation #ultrasoundtech #kneeoa #arthritispain #painrelief
S1 · E43
September 3 · 53 min
#43 - What Happens When Trauma Meets Joint Replacement? Dr. Alon Antebi
What happens when orthopedic trauma and joint replacement intersect? Dr. Matthew Sloan is joined by Dr. Alon Antebi, a fellowship-trained orthopedic trauma surgeon whose practice spans complex fractures, pelvic and acetabular trauma, primary and revision joint replacement, and outpatient surgery. Dr. Antebi discusses how surgeons decide whether to fix a hip fracture or replace the joint, when a partial versus total hip replacement may be appropriate, and why acetabular fractures present an entirely different reconstructive challenge. They also explore Dr. Antebi’s nearly two decades of experience with the direct anterior approach, his early adoption of outpatient hip and knee replacement, bilateral joint replacement, and how he selects patients for same-day surgery. The conversation goes deeper into some of the most challenging cases in orthopedics: converting previous fracture surgery to a hip replacement, dealing with retained hardware and altered anatomy, and treating patients with post-traumatic arthritis after major injuries. Finally, Dr. Antebi and Dr. Sloan discuss how joint replacement has changed over the past 20 years, the financial pressures facing orthopedic surgeons and private practices, and why patients who have been told their hip or knee is “too complicated” may benefit from seeking another opinion from a surgeon experienced in complex reconstruction. A wide-ranging conversation about trauma, joint replacement, outpatient surgery, and the evolution of modern orthopedic care.
S1 · E42
September 2 · 1 hr 2 min
#42 - What Does a Surgical Tech Actually Do? Alyssa Ellis
What does a surgical technologist actually do during surgery, and how much does the team behind the surgeon affect what happens in the operating room? In this episode of The Joint Replacement Podcast, Dr. Matthew Sloan sits down with Alyssa Ellis, CST, CSFA, creator of Beyond Assisting, for a behind-the-scenes look at life in the OR. With more than 17 years of operating room experience, Alyssa explains the difference between a surgical tech and surgical first assistant, how the sterile field is created and protected, how great techs anticipate a surgeon's next move, and what separates an average surgical team from a truly high functioning one. They also tackle one of the biggest challenges facing operating rooms today: staffing. Alyssa discusses traveling surgical techs, staff turnover, training, compensation, appreciation, OR culture, and why experienced team members cannot simply be replaced without losing something important. Then the conversation turns to orthopedics: What are total hip and knee replacements like to scrub? Are revisions more fun than primary joint replacements? What makes a surgeon good to work with? What happens when something goes wrong during surgery? And if Alyssa could scrub only one operation for the rest of her career, which would she choose? Plus, the important questions: Who controls the OR music? Which specialty has the most fun? What drives surgical techs crazy? And what is the grossest operation to scrub? A fascinating look at the people patients may never remember meeting, but who play an essential role in keeping them safe during surgery.
S1 · E41
August 29 · 58 min
#41 - RACER Knee: Does Robotic Knee Replacement Actually Improve Outcomes? Andy Metcalfe & Ed Davis
The RACER Knee Trial is one of the most important randomized evaluations of robotic-assisted total knee replacement to date. The headline finding is provocative: robotic-assisted surgery was more precise, but patients did not report better outcomes at 12 months compared with conventional total knee replacement. But does that mean robots do not work? In this episode, I’m joined by RACER Knee investigators Professor Andy Metcalfe and Professor Ed Davis for an in-depth discussion of what the trial actually tells us. We examine the Forgotten Joint Score, statistical power, surgeon experience, alignment philosophy, MCL releases, patellar resurfacing, cemented versus cementless fixation, costs, study funding, and the difference between achieving greater precision and knowing exactly where that precision should take us. We also discuss one of the trial’s most fascinating observations: patients who believed they received robotic surgery had substantially higher Forgotten Joint Scores than those who believed they underwent conventional surgery, highlighting the importance of blinding and patient perception in surgical trials. Finally, Andy and Ed explain what they would change if RACER were designed today and preview what is coming next, including health economic analysis, learning-curve research, alignment analyses, and longer-term 2-, 5-, and 10-year follow-up. RACER may not be the end of the robotics debate. It may be the beginning of a much more interesting question: We have the ability to perform knee replacement with extraordinary precision. Now, do we know where we should put the knee?
S1 · E40
August 26 · 51 min
#40 - What is Traumaplasty? Elizabeth Gausden, MD
Elizabeth Gausden, MD, joins The Joint Replacement Podcast to discuss one of the most challenging areas in orthopedic surgery: what happens when trauma and joint replacement intersect. Dr. Gausden is an orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery specializing in primary and revision hip and knee replacement, periprosthetic fractures, and complex reconstruction. After residency at HSS, she completed fellowship training in orthopedic trauma at UTHealth Houston and adult reconstruction at Mayo Clinic. We discuss her path to dual fellowship training, fixation versus revision for periprosthetic fractures, nail-plate constructs and distal femoral replacement, direct anterior primary and revision hip replacement, robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement, collared cementless stems, cementless knee fractures, heterotopic ossification, the Quiet Knee recovery philosophy, and how modern fixation is changing what surgeons can accomplish in increasingly complex patients. Dr. Gausden also previews the inaugural IOEN Traumaplasty Course in Orlando, October 2–3, 2026. The cadaver-based course brings trauma and arthroplasty experts together to teach practical techniques for periprosthetic fractures, revision reconstruction, and other challenging cases at the intersection of the two specialties. 🎓 FREE registration for residents and fellows Use code: TRAUMA100 Course information and registration: https://ioen.net/ioen-2026-traumaplasty-course-home/
S1 · E39
August 22 · 6 min
#39 - What Happens in the First Month After Knee Replacement?
What really happens after you leave the hospital following a knee replacement? In this episode of The Joint Replacement Podcast, I walk through the first month of recovery week by week—including the physical challenges and the psychological transition that patients may not expect. We cover: • Week 1: Survival & Stability — pain, swelling, disrupted sleep, fatigue, and learning to accept help • Week 2: Variability — why recovery isn't linear and why a bad day doesn't necessarily mean you're going backward • Week 3: The Emotional Dip — when progress can feel slow, motivation falls, and discipline becomes especially important • Week 4: Momentum — when walking, strength, pain, and confidence may begin to noticeably improve I also explain the “false plateau,” why doing too much on a good day can backfire, and why pain or swelling after increased activity can sometimes be feedback rather than failure. The first month after knee replacement isn't just physical recovery. It's a transition from dependence to independence—and from uncertainty to confidence. If you're preparing for knee replacement, recovering now, or helping someone through the process, this episode gives you a practical roadmap for those critical first four weeks. For general educational purposes only. Individual recovery varies. Always follow the recommendations of your own surgical team.
S1 · E38
August 18 · 1 hr 9 min
#38 - What is Full Spectrum Hip & Knee Surgery? Atul Kamath, MD
What happens when a surgeon can offer both joint preservation and joint replacement? Dr. Atul Kamath joins The Joint Replacement Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about how modern hip and knee care has evolved—from anterior hip replacement and robotic surgery to hip arthroscopy, osteotomy, cartilage restoration, partial knee replacement, and outpatient surgery. This is also a personal episode for me: Dr. Kamath was one of my attendings during my orthopedic residency at Penn and one of the first surgeons to introduce me to the anterior approach to total hip replacement. We discuss how the anterior approach has evolved, why surgical experience and fundamentals still matter in the age of robotics, and how technology is allowing surgeons to increasingly personalize joint replacement. Dr. Kamath describes his evolution from traditional mechanical knee alignment toward a more individualized, technology-driven approach. We also take a deep dive into younger patients who aren't yet obvious candidates for joint replacement. Dr. Kamath explains the roles of hip arthroscopy, PAO, knee osteotomy, cartilage restoration, and partial knee replacement—and why the right procedure depends on much more than a patient's age. Finally, we tackle some of the questions patients ask every day: Can PRP or stem cells regrow cartilage? When is an osteotomy better than a partial knee replacement? What is the role of core decompression for avascular necrosis? And when has arthritis progressed far enough that joint replacement becomes the more predictable solution? A fascinating look at the continuum of modern hip and knee care—from preserving the native joint to replacing it. Educational content only and not a substitute for individualized medical advice.
S1 · E37
August 14 · 45 min
#37 - What's Wrong with Fee-For-Service? Kevin Bozic, MD, MBA
What does better joint replacement care actually look like—and should success be measured by the surgery itself or by the health outcomes that matter most to the patient? In this episode of The Joint Replacement Podcast, Dr. Matthew Sloan speaks with Kevin Bozic, MD, MBA, Chair of the Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin and former President of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Bozic explains why value-based healthcare should focus first on improving pain, function, and quality of life rather than simply reducing costs. He shares how his multidisciplinary practice integrates physical therapy, weight management, behavioral health, and patient-reported outcomes to manage the entire spectrum of hip and knee arthritis—not just surgery. They also explore bundled payments, Medicare reimbursement, the limitations of fee-for-service medicine, patient activation, appropriate surgical selection, and why the future may involve paying healthcare teams to manage a patient's condition rather than individual procedures. Finally, Dr. Bozic shares a unique perspective as both a joint replacement expert and a joint replacement patient himself, including how he chose his own surgeon and why he cared more about surgeon experience, volume, outcomes, facility quality, and trust than the specific implant or surgical approach. A fascinating conversation about what joint replacement looks like when we stop asking only “How do we perform surgery better?” and start asking “How do we improve the patient's health?” 🎧 Follow The Joint Replacement Podcast for weekly conversations with leaders shaping the future of hip and knee replacement. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.
S1 · E36
August 14 · 56 min
#36 - What Happens When the Surgeon Becomes the Patient? Farzin Kabaei, MD
What changes when a joint replacement surgeon experiences knee replacement from the other side of the operating table? Dr. Farzin Kabaei is a Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement, complex reconstruction, and orthopedic trauma. But his perspective on joint replacement is also deeply personal. After an ACL injury as a teenager, progressive arthritis, a high tibial osteotomy, multiple surgeries, and years of worsening knee pain, he ultimately underwent a knee replacement himself. In this episode, we discuss how that experience changed the way he counsels patients about pain, expectations, timing, and recovery. We explore how to know when arthritis is truly bad enough for surgery, why an X-ray alone shouldn't determine whether you need a joint replacement, and why expectations for hip and knee replacement can be very different. Dr. Kabaei also shares his approach to robotic knee replacement, anterior hip replacement and the bikini incision, injections including cortisone, hyaluronic acid and PRP, and the role of nutrition, exercise, breathwork, and preparation in recovery. Perhaps most importantly, we hear what a knee replacement actually feels like from someone who both performs the operation and lives with one every day. 🎙️ The Joint Replacement Podcast Educational content only. This podcast does not constitute individualized medical advice.

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