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Is robotic joint replacement really better? And does the anterior approach to hip replacement actually make recovery easier? In Episode #68, Dr. Matthew Sloan sits down with Dr. Kevin Lawson, a fellowship-trained hip and knee replacement surgeon at MultiCare Health System in Washington State, to explore the technology, techniques, and decisions shaping modern joint replacement surgery. Dr. Lawson uses the ROSA robotic knee replacement system, while Dr. Sloan uses MAKO robotics. Together, they discuss where robotics may improve surgical precision and efficiency, why complex knee replacements may benefit most, and why technically perfect surgery doesn't always guarantee a happy patient. They also explore anterior versus posterior hip replacement, the role of AI-assisted imaging in hip surgery, functional knee alignment, recovery expectations, and how patients should choose their surgeon. Questions answered in this episode: When should you consider hip or knee replacement? Does robotic knee replacement actually improve outcomes? What's the difference between ROSA and MAKO robotics? Can a perfectly aligned knee replacement still hurt? Is anterior hip replacement better than posterior? How long does recovery really take? What matters most when choosing a joint replacement surgeon? Guest: Kevin Lawson, MDhttps://kevinlawsonmd.com Host: Matthew Sloan, MDhttps://www.MatthewSloanMD.com Subscribe to Strong Joints, Strong Body, our free weekly newsletter, for evidence-based insights on arthritis, joint replacement, and recovery: https://matthews-newsletter-05056c.beehiiv.com/subscribe Follow and share The Joint Replacement Podcast to help more patients make informed decisions about their joint health. For educational purposes only. This episode is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.

Your new knee clicks when you walk. Your hip feels sore after a longer-than-usual day. Your joint is still swollen months after surgery. Is this normal healing, or could your joint replacement be failing? In Episode #67 of The Joint Replacement Podcast, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Matthew Sloan explains seven important warning signs after hip and knee replacement and how to distinguish expected recovery symptoms from potential complications. Learn why joint replacements click, how long postoperative swelling and warmth can last, what types of pain are concerning, and which symptoms could suggest infection, implant loosening, fracture, or instability. Dr. Sloan also explains how orthopedic surgeons investigate a painful joint replacement using physical examination, X-rays, inflammatory blood tests, and joint aspiration. Key message: Recovery is rarely a straight line. Understanding the difference between normal tissue healing and a true warning sign can help you recover with more confidence and recognize when to seek medical attention. Subscribe to The Joint Replacement Podcast for practical, evidence-based information about hip and knee arthritis, joint replacement surgery, and recovery. Get the free Strong Joints, Strong Body newsletter:https://matthews-newsletter-05056c.beehiiv.com/subscribe For educational purposes only. New, severe, or worsening symptoms should be discussed with your surgical team; emergency symptoms require immediate evaluation.

Can you wait too long for a hip or knee replacement? Does surgical approach really matter? And how do you choose the right surgeon? In Episode 66 of The Joint Replacement Podcast, Dr. Matthew Sloan sits down with Dr. Craig Della Valle, Chief of Adult Reconstructive Services at Rush University Medical Center, past president of AAHKS, and current president of the Knee Society. After performing more than 16,000 hip and knee replacements, Dr. Della Valle shares his perspective on what makes joint replacement successful—and which commonly held beliefs deserve to be challenged. Topics include: When arthritis symptoms mean it's time for surgery Why delaying knee replacement can compromise range of motion How hip arthritis can cause knee pain Whether anterior hip replacement is actually better than posterior Why surgeon experience matters more than implant marketing Cemented versus cementless hip and knee replacements Who should consider partial knee replacement Joint replacement in patients in their 90s or with elevated BMI Why injections cannot reverse established arthritis The importance of mental health and surgical preparation Why measuring surgeon performance is more complicated than it appears Dr. Della Valle also discusses a pivotal moment in his career when randomized research challenged his belief that minimally invasive hip approaches produced better outcomes. An insightful conversation about surgical experience, scientific evidence, and making the right decisions for patients. 🎙️ Hosted by Matthew Sloan, MD🌐 www.MatthewSloanMD.com Subscribe to The Joint Replacement Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. ♻️ Repost and comment to join the conversation.🔔 Follow Dr. Matthew Sloan for more. For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for personalized medical advice.

When does an artificial hip finally start feeling like your own? Most surgeons measure hip replacement success through pain relief, implant positioning, and long-term durability. But patients often define success differently: the moment they stop thinking about their hip altogether. In this solo episode, Dr. Matthew Sloan explores the hidden milestones of recovery after robotic total hip replacement — from restoring natural walking patterns and proprioception to regaining confidence, balance, and trust in movement. Discover how arthritis changes the way your brain and muscles work together, why recovery involves more than tissue healing, and how precise restoration of leg length, offset, and hip biomechanics may help support natural function. You'll also learn why your hip may initially feel mechanical, why a limp can persist after pain disappears, and which subtle improvements signal meaningful progress. The goal isn't simply a hip replacement that works. It's a hip replacement you can forget about. Subscribe to The Joint Replacement Podcast for expert conversations and practical education about hip and knee replacement surgery. Hosted by Matthew Sloan, MD. Educational purposes only. Not individualized medical advice.

Can we repair an arthritic knee instead of replacing it? Dr. Marc Pietropaoli, orthopedic sports medicine surgeon, regenerative medicine advocate, and author of Repair Not Replace, believes we can eventually eliminate the need for knee replacements. His goal? Knee replacement free by 2043. In Episode 64, Dr. Matthew Sloan explores this bold vision with Dr. Pietropaoli, examining the science behind PRP, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), subchondral bone injections, and other emerging approaches to treating knee osteoarthritis. They discuss whether regenerative medicine can actually reverse arthritis, the importance of bone marrow lesions as a potential source of knee pain, the limitations of current stem cell treatments, and the possibility of delaying or avoiding knee replacement surgery. Dr. Pietropaoli also shares clinical outcome data from his regenerative treatment program, his approach to exercise and whole-body health, and why he believes preventing arthritis may be more important than trying to cure it. Two orthopedic surgeons with different approaches explore one important question: Could the future of knee arthritis treatment be repair rather than replacement? The discussion distinguishes promising treatments and reported clinical experience from therapies supported by rigorous comparative evidence. Learn more: https://victoryinmotion.com Subscribe to The Joint Replacement Podcast for weekly evidence-based discussions about hip and knee health, arthritis treatment, and the future of orthopedic surgery. www.MatthewSloanMD.com/blog

Your hip or knee replacement went perfectly. Your X-rays look great. You're making progress in physical therapy. So why are you still staring at the ceiling at 3 AM? Difficulty sleeping is one of the most common and frustrating surprises after joint replacement surgery, and something patients often aren't adequately prepared for. In Episode 63 of The Joint Replacement Podcast, Dr. Matthew Sloan explains why nighttime pain, stiffness, and sleep disruption occur after hip and knee replacement and shares seven practical strategies to make recovery more comfortable. Learn how to position your leg correctly after knee replacement, why putting a pillow directly behind your knee can be a mistake, when it's safe to sleep on your side after hip replacement, and how to manage nighttime swelling and discomfort. Dr. Sloan also discusses the role of icing and medication timing, what to do when you wake up stiff at 3 AM, whether sleeping in a recliner is okay, and why you shouldn't put so much pressure on yourself to achieve eight uninterrupted hours of sleep. Key takeaway: Poor sleep after joint replacement doesn't automatically mean something is wrong with your implant or recovery. For many patients, sleep improves gradually over several weeks to months. Patient question: How long did it take before you could sleep comfortably after your joint replacement? Follow The Joint Replacement Podcast for practical, evidence-based guidance to help you make informed decisions about hip and knee replacement surgery. 🌐 https://matthewsloanmd.com Educational content only. Follow your surgeon's individualized postoperative recommendations.

Is anterior hip replacement really better than posterior hip replacement? Does robotic surgery make a meaningful difference? And why aren't more patients receiving partial knee replacements? Dr. Matthew Sloan welcomes Dr. Charles Lawrie, fellowship-trained hip and knee replacement surgeon at Baptist Health South Florida and President of the Anterior Hip Foundation. Together, they discuss the evidence behind modern hip and knee replacement surgery, including: Why anterior hip replacement has grown in popularity and whether the benefits persist beyond early recovery The risks, complications, and learning curve associated with the anterior approach Why Dr. Lawrie believes robotics may be unnecessary for many anterior hip replacements but essential to his knee replacement practice The debate over cemented versus cementless implants The potential comeback of hip resurfacing for young, active patients Why partial knee replacement may be substantially underutilized Whether muscle-sparing subvastus knee replacement represents meaningful progress or marketing How artificial intelligence could change surgical practices and patient communication Dr. Lawrie also shares the three things he would want to know about his own surgeon before undergoing joint replacement. A discussion for patients considering surgery and orthopedic professionals interested in research, surgical innovation, and the future of joint replacement. Hosted by Dr. Matthew Sloan, MD. Learn more at thejointreplacementpodcast.com and matthewsloanmd.com.

When celebrities and professional athletes need joint replacement surgery, what do they look for in a surgeon? Is it advanced technology, surgical experience, personalized attention, or the recovery process? Dr. Matthew Sloan welcomes Beverly Hills orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jason Snibbe, who has performed more than 12,000 surgeries and serves as managing partner of DOCS Health. In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Snibbe explains how he built a high-touch orthopedic practice, why he became an early adopter of robotic surgery, and how he approaches the technical controversies surrounding modern hip and knee replacement. They discuss robotic versus conventional knee replacement, cementless fixation, subvastus surgery, functional alignment, patellar resurfacing, direct superior hip replacement, dual mobility implants, partial knee replacement, and the importance of protecting the knee during early recovery. Dr. Snibbe also shares why he left a hospital that refused to purchase a robotic surgical system and how that decision ultimately led to his involvement in building a physician-owned orthopedic hospital designed around the entire patient experience. The conversation also tackles insurance reimbursement, surgeon independence, conservative treatment of arthritis, and why the best surgical decision is sometimes not to operate at all. A central theme: The best joint replacement experience is about more than the surgery itself. It's about trust, precision, communication, and recovery. A compelling conversation for patients considering joint replacement and surgeons interested in the future of orthopedic care. Hosted by Dr. Matthew Sloan. Learn more at MatthewSloanMD.com/blog.

Could better nutrition before surgery mean a smoother recovery afterward? In Episode 60 of The Joint Replacement Podcast, Dr. Matthew Sloan welcomes Dr. Sagar Desai, a Toronto-based orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle reconstruction and founder of Proven Therapeutics. Together, they explore an often-overlooked part of surgical preparation: nutrition. How much protein should patients eat before hip or knee replacement? Can specialized supplements reduce muscle loss or complications? Should patients really fast from midnight before surgery? And what does the evidence actually show? Dr. Desai discusses the science of immunonutrition, his experience developing a surgical nutrition supplement, and the challenges of translating research into clinical practice. The conversation also explores total ankle replacement versus ankle fusion, the controversy surrounding surgical treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures, minimally invasive bunion surgery, and the unique demands of treating professional athletes. Whether you're preparing for joint replacement, recovering from orthopedic surgery, or simply interested in optimizing surgical outcomes, this episode offers a wide-ranging discussion about preparation, recovery, and modern orthopedic care. Guest: Dr. Sagar Desai Host: Dr. Matthew Sloan Learn more at MatthewSloanMD.com Educational purposes only. Dr. Desai is the founder of Proven Therapeutics. Product-specific benefits have not been independently established in this episode.

Can an orthopedic surgeon design a better hip replacement implant than the major medical device companies? Dr. Kurtis Biggs decided to find out. In Episode 59, Dr. Matthew Sloan interviews Dr. Biggs, a fellowship-trained joint replacement surgeon from Naples, Florida, who developed his own femoral stem, taking it from a hand-drawn sketch at his kitchen counter to FDA clearance and implantation in patients. They discuss why he believed traditional hip implants could be improved, how he designed the Xerxes femoral stem to better accommodate natural hip anatomy, and the challenges of developing and manufacturing an entirely new orthopedic device. Dr. Biggs shares his early experience with approximately 130 implantations, including complications, revisions, and preliminary clinical observations. They also explore how long hip replacements really last, whether cementless or cemented stems are better, the advantages and limitations of anterior hip replacement, and how large medical device manufacturers influence which innovations reach patients. Most importantly, they confront a critical question: What evidence do we actually need before calling a new hip implant better than an established one? An inside look at surgical innovation, medical device development, and the future of hip replacement. Note: The Xerxes femoral stem has received FDA 510(k) clearance, but long-term clinical outcomes and comparative superiority remain unproven. Learn more at MatthewSloanMD.com and subscribe to The Joint Replacement Podcast for weekly conversations about hip and knee replacement.

Are health insurance companies making money by denying patients the medical care they need? Dr. Matthew Sloan welcomes Bryan Khoo, a Stanford graduate and incoming medical student at Washington University whose investigations into healthcare economics and insurance company practices have attracted national attention, including responses from Mark Cuban. They explore why American healthcare continues to become more expensive, how prior authorization decisions are made, why some insurance denials are never appealed, and the growing controversy surrounding Medicare Advantage. Bryan shares his perspectives on artificial intelligence in insurance reviews, post-surgical payment denials, corporate consolidation, physician reimbursement, and the future of independent medical practices. The conversation also examines how insurance company financial incentives may influence patient access to surgery and what reforms could help restore the physician-patient relationship. Who should control medical decisions: doctors or insurance companies? Editorial Disclaimer: Specific insurance company and healthcare business names have been redacted from portions of this interview because Dr. Sloan and The Joint Replacement Podcast have not independently verified the underlying studies, statistics, or allegations discussed. The guest's research findings and opinions are his own and should not be interpreted as independently verified conclusions or established findings of misconduct. Follow Bryan Khoo on LinkedIn and subscribe to The Joint Replacement Podcast for more conversations about healthcare, joint replacement, and medical innovation.

How can you tell whether a hip or knee replacement surgeon is actually good? Dr. Matthew Sloan breaks down the five things patients should look for before choosing a joint replacement surgeon, including surgical volume, board certification, fellowship training, complication rates, revision rates, and the number almost nobody tells patients to ask about: patient-reported outcomes. Patient-reported outcome measures track pain, function, and quality of life before and after surgery. They can reveal something an X-ray cannot: whether patients actually feel and function better after their joint replacement. Dr. Sloan also explains why raw surgeon statistics can be misleading, how risk adjustment accounts for surgeons treating more complex patients, and why public reporting should avoid incentivizing surgeons to “cherry-pick” only healthier, lower-risk patients. The episode also explores what a future national joint replacement scorecard could include: surgeon volume, training, complications, revisions, patient-reported improvement, and risk-adjusted comparisons with national benchmarks. Until that kind of patient-facing system exists, patients may need to ask surgeons and health systems directly for their outcomes. You can view Dr. Sloan’s own patient-reported outcomes at MatthewSloanMD.com. The question to remember before surgery: “Do you track patient-reported outcomes, and can I see them?”

Dr. Will Kang took an unusual path to orthopedic surgery. Before becoming a physician, he was a classically trained violinist who earned a master’s degree in violin performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and worked professionally as a musician. After years of intense practice and a repetitive-stress shoulder injury, he changed direction and ultimately became an orthopedic surgeon. In this episode, Dr. Matthew Sloan talks with Dr. Kang about the similarities between elite musicians and athletes, repetitive-stress injuries in musicians, and what his experience as a patient taught him about treating musculoskeletal pain. They then tackle some of the most common questions patients have about orthopedic care: When does an injury need evaluation? When do you actually need an MRI? Does every meniscus, labral, or rotator cuff “tear” need to be fixed? Which orthopedic operations may be performed too often? And when does surgery actually offer an advantage over nonsurgical treatment? They also discuss cortisone, PRP, gel injections, regenerative medicine, exercise and joint health, and why significant arthritis on an X-ray doesn't necessarily mean you need a joint replacement. The episode ends with three important questions every patient should ask an orthopedic surgeon before agreeing to surgery.

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.

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.