IBJI OrthoInform

This episode of the IBJI Ortho Inform podcast features Dr. Amit Sharma, an interventional pain management physician, discussing non-surgical treatments for back and spine pain. Dr. Sharma explains the mechanics of common conditions like sciatica and spinal stenosis, detailing how they irritate nerves and limit a patient's mobility. The conversation explores a full spectrum of pain management strategies, ranging from conservative methods like physical therapy and medications to advanced interventions such as epidural steroid injections and radiofrequency ablation. Ultimately, Dr. Sharma emphasizes a collaborative approach to care, aiming to help patients avoid unnecessary surgery and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

Host Cory Leman and physical therapist Julia Thompson discuss the complexities, causes, and treatments of back pain on the IBJI OrthoInform podcast. Thompson explains that while an estimated 80% of individuals will experience back pain in their lifetime, the common belief that patients should avoid movement is a harmful myth, asserting instead that movement acts as medicine. She identifies modern inactivity and prolonged desk work as major contributors to spinal discomfort, and she advocates for early physical therapy intervention alongside regular posture changes. By utilizing hands-on treatments, modalities like trigger point dry needling, and individualized strength training that safely loads the spine, Thompson emphasizes that patients can successfully overcome fear-avoidant behaviors and restore their quality of life without surgery.

In this episode of IBJI’s OrthoInform, host Dr. Eric Chehab sits down with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Peter Thadani to discuss everything you need to know about understanding and treating hip pain. Together, they explore common conditions that cause discomfort both inside and around the hip joint, as well as how specialists accurately diagnose the root cause of symptoms. From conservative options like physical therapy and targeted injections to advanced surgical solutions, this episode offers a clear guide to finding relief and restoring your mobility.

In this episode of IBJI’s OrthoInform podcast, host Cory Leman and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Murphy discuss the broad spectrum of knee care, from initial joint pain to surgical interventions. The conversation focuses on clearing up common misconceptions about seeing an orthopedic specialist, emphasizing that surgery is a final resort rather than the default starting point. They explore how physicians evaluate a patient's functional mobility, prioritize conservative non-surgical treatments, and determine when a patient is a suitable candidate for a partial or total knee procedure. The episode also highlights how modern technological and medical advancements have transformed the patient experience, pain management strategies, and recovery timelines. Dr. Murphy offers high-level insights into what patients can expect throughout the treatment process, addressing common fears about joint replacements and long-term durability. Additionally, the discussion covers preventative care, focusing on lifestyle habits and movement strategies that help protect joint health and preserve long-term mobility.

If you’ve ever suffered a hard fall, injured your collarbone, or struggled with a stiff, aching shoulder, you know how disruptive joint pain can be. In this episode of OrthoInform, host Dr. Eric Chehab sits down with orthopedic shoulder specialist Dr. John Ross to demystify shoulder injuries, fractures, and advanced treatment options. Whether you're an active athlete trying to bounce back from a bike crash or looking out for an elderly loved one, Dr. Ross breaks down the complex world of upper-body orthopedics into easy-to-understand terms.

In this episode of IBJI’s OrthoInform, host Cory Leman sits down with orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Mark Mikhael to demystify back pain and explore the rapidly evolving world of spine care. Dr. Mikhael pulls back the curtain on minimally invasive spine surgery, breaking down its four foundational pillars and explaining common degenerative conditions like disc herniations and spinal stenosis. Listeners will learn the structural anatomy behind why the lower back and neck bear the brunt of daily wear and tear, what a surgeon looks for when diagnosing spinal instability, and what actually happens during common procedures like microdiscectomies and fusions.

In this episode of IBJI’s OrthoInform, host Cory Leman sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Ackerman to break down everything you need to know about hip pain, arthritis, and modern hip replacement—especially the anterior approach. Dr. Ackerman explains what’s really happening inside the hip joint as cartilage wears down, why stiffness and pain develop over time, and how to recognize when it’s more than just minor discomfort. Using simple, relatable analogies, he helps listeners understand when hip pain becomes a serious issue and what warning signs signal it’s time to seek help.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Eric Chehab and Dr. Steve Mardjetko discuss scoliosis, explaining it as a three-dimensional spinal curve most often identified in children over age 10. They talk about how treatment is based on the size of the curve and how much a child still has to grow, ranging from simply watching small curves to using a back brace for moderate ones. The doctors also describe how larger curves may require surgery to prevent long-term health issues in adulthood, noting that modern medical advancements now allow most kids to be up and walking the day after their procedure.

In this episode of OrthoInform, Dr. Eric Chehab and Dr. Alexander Tauchen discuss managing knee arthritis, noting that patients are often surprised by the diagnosis since the condition can remain asymptomatic until a minor injury triggers significant pain. Dr. Tauchen advocates for a "joint preservation" approach first, utilizing activity modification, weight loss, physical therapy, and injections like cortisone or visco-supplementation. While acknowledging the popularity of biologics like PRP and stem cells, he cautions that there is no clinical data proving they can regrow cartilage in "bone-on-bone" cases. Ultimately, surgery—whether a partial replacement to preserve natural ligaments or a total replacement for widespread disease—is reserved for when a patient is "sick and tired of being sick and tired" and seeks to restore their daily quality of life.

In this episode of IBJI’s Ortho Inform, host Dr. Eric Chehab is joined by foot and ankle specialist Dr. Akshay Jain to discuss common foot and ankle injuries seen every day. They break down ankle sprains, Achilles tendon injuries, fifth metatarsal fractures, Lisfranc injuries, stress fractures, and turf toe—explaining how these injuries happen, treatment options, recovery timelines, and when surgery may or may not be needed. A helpful, patient-focused conversation designed to educate listeners on how to recognize injuries and get back to moving safely.