Have you ever been told you’re “bone on bone” — and walked out of the appointment feeling terrified, confused, and unsure what to do next?
In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares, DO, Sports & Spine physician and founder of MSK Direct VB, explains how medical language can influence your decisions more than you realize — and how to tell when your doctor is nudging you versus truly guiding you.
Through the story of a patient named Tom, Dr. Bagares reveals how three words — “bone on bone” — completely changed one man’s belief about his body, leading to months of fear, inactivity, and unnecessary suffering. You’ll learn how to interpret your diagnosis with clarity, ask the right follow-up questions, and stay active and informed while deciding on surgery or conservative care.
If you’ve ever left a visit with more fear than answers, this conversation will help you rebuild confidence and make medical decisions from a place of knowledge — not panic.
Timestamps + Key Themes
[00:00] Tom’s story: “Bone on bone” and the fear that follows
[01:00] When the system fails: urgency without guidance
[02:00] How medical words shape beliefs about fragility and damage
[03:00] The psychology of “nudges” in medicine — why language steers behavior
[04:00] The missing piece between diagnosis and decision
[06:00] How to bridge the gap with actionable guidance
[08:00] Reframing arthritis: from fragile to adaptive
[10:00] Why injections, PT, and movement still matter before surgery
[12:00] Spotting the difference between nudging and genuine guidance
[14:00] Three red flags in medical communication
[15:00] Five questions to ask your doctor to make confident decisions
[17:00] What Tom’s story teaches about trust, guidance, and control
[18:00] Closing reflection: urgency moves you — guidance directs you
f this episode helped you see your diagnosis differently, hit subscribe and share it with someone facing a tough medical decision.
For clarity consultations and advanced treatment options, visit MSKDirectVB.com
or
FredBagares.com.
