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.