Description

In this episode of Unstable Vitals, hosts Dr. Adam Brown and Dr. Lara Zibners sit down with orthopedic surgeon, researcher, and author Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein. Together, they dig into an often-overlooked area of medicine: bone and joint health as the foundation for long-term wellness.

Dr. Wittstein shares insights from her new book, The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan, exploring why osteoporosis and arthritis are more than “aging problems” — they’re critical, preventable drivers of disability that ripple into cardiovascular health, cognitive decline, and overall quality of life. The conversation covers:

• Why mobility is medicine and how preventing fractures protects independence.
• The evidence (and myths) behind supplements like glucosamine, collagen, and more.
• How proactive, cross-specialty care (from hormone therapy to strength training) can reduce complications and extend healthy years.
• Dr. Wittstein’s journey as one of the 6% of women in orthopedics, and how her perspective shapes both her practice and her advocacy for women’s health.

Blending humor, real-life stories, and evidence-based strategies, this episode shines a light on the connection between musculoskeletal health and the stability of our entire healthcare system.