The Joint Effort Podcast

Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie & Tiffany Belculfine, PA

The Joint Effort Podcast is where mobility meets reality—and your future self says “thank you.” Hosted by Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie of the Bone and Joint Center at Magee-Womens Hospital and Tiffany Belculfine, PA-C at the Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health, this show is your go-to guide for aging actively across Western Pennsylvania.  Whether your knees sound like bubble wrap or your hips protest sock duty, Dr. Noelle and Tiffany break down everything from arthritis and osteoporosis to everyday aches and pains. With practical advice, real-life strategies, and a dose of humor, they’ll help you move better, feel stronger, and live well—one joint at a time. Tune in, take a breath, and let’s get you moving. To learn more about The Bone and Joint Center at Magee-Womens Hospital visit:    https://www.pghbjc.com Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie   300 Halket St.  Pittsburgh, PA, 15213   412-683-7272     To learn more about The Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health visit:    https://www.boneandjointhealth.org   Tiffany Belculfine  300 Halket St., Suite 1601  Pittsburgh, PA, 15213   412-641-8594 

Episodes

  1. 12/29/2025

    Arthritis Relief Without The Operating Room

    Can Arthritis Be Treated Without Surgery? Pain doesn’t get the final say. We lay out a practical, step-by-step plan to manage knee and hip arthritis without rushing to the operating room, then explain how to know when surgery is the right move. From smarter movement to targeted procedures, we show how small, consistent steps can reduce pain and restore confidence. We start with everyday levers you can pull right now: adjusting high-impact workouts, building strength in the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and core, and using regular motion to nourish joints. Then we dig into medications that actually help inflammation, why opioids miss the mark for osteoarthritis, and how to judge whether your training is helping or harming based on how you feel hours and days later. Clear, realistic guidance replaces guesswork. Next, we compare injections you’ve heard about—and some you haven’t. Steroid shots for short-term flare control, hyaluronic acid to improve lubrication, and PRP for a biologic anti-inflammatory boost each have a role depending on your goals and health profile. We also spotlight cryoanalgesia, an in-office nerve-cooling technique that can dial down knee pain, bridge the gap before surgery, or ease worries about post-op discomfort. Finally, we map out the decision points for joint replacement: imaging that shows bone-on-bone changes, a good-faith run at conservative care, and the most important factor—your readiness to commit to recovery when daily life is too limited by pain. You’ll also hear how our team model links wellness and surgical care so you never feel stuck between options. Whether you want to delay surgery with a strong plan or prepare for a safer, smoother recovery, you’ll leave with next steps that fit real life. If this conversation helps, follow the show, share it with someone who needs clarity, and leave a quick review so more people can find practical arthritis guidance. To learn more about The Bone and Joint Center at Magee-Womens Hospital visit: https://www.pghbjc.com Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie 300 Halket St. Pittsburgh, PA, 15213 412-683-7272 To learn more about The Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health visit: https://www.boneandjointhealth.org Tiffany Belculfine 300 Halket St., Suite 1601 Pittsburgh, PA, 15213 412-641-8594

    12 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    Strong Steps: Preventing Falls And Fractures As You Age

    How Can I Prevent Falls And Fractures As I Age? If staying upright feels harder than it used to, this conversation hands you a simple, science-backed roadmap to protect balance, build stronger bones, and keep your independence. We pull together what actually works—environment fixes, smart movement, and targeted nutrition—so you can act with confidence instead of fear. We start with the hazards that hide in plain sight: dim hallways, cords and clutter, skipped railings, and outdated glasses. Then we pair those fixes with training that teaches your body to react faster and recover from stumbles. You’ll hear why Tai Chi is a sleeper hit for older adults, how to practice safe balance drills at home, and the walking strategies that beat slippery sidewalks and crowded aisles. The stance lesson is memorable: make yourself bigger, not smaller, to center your weight and stay stable. Bone strength gets equal billing. We explain the use it or lose it principle in everyday terms—bones build along lines of stress—and share how walking, resistance work, and daily tasks send the right signals to your skeleton. You’ll get clear guidance on calcium and vitamin D targets by age, why consistency matters more than megadoses, and how nutrition, strength, and balance training stack to reduce fracture risk. We round it out with real‑world pitfalls like silent cats, scattered toys, and acorns underfoot, plus practical gear advice on supportive shoes, canes, and walkers. Ready to turn worry into a plan you can live with? Press play, take one small step today, and share the tip you’re going to try first. If this helped, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it to someone who needs a steadier tomorrow. To learn more about The Bone and Joint Center at Magee-Womens Hospital visit: https://www.pghbjc.com Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie 300 Halket St. Pittsburgh, PA, 15213 412-683-7272 To learn more about The Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health visit: https://www.boneandjointhealth.org Tiffany Belculfine 300 Halket St., Suite 1601 Pittsburgh, PA, 15213 412-641-8594

    11 min

  3. 12/10/2025

    From Stiff Mornings To Strong Steps: Understanding Early Arthritis

    What Does Early Arthritis Feel Like—And Why Does It Matter? Your knees shouldn’t sound like snack time, and that stiff first step out of bed isn’t “just getting older.” We unpack the clear signs of early osteoarthritis, how a simple x-ray reveals what’s changing inside your joints, and why the choices you make now can slow progression and keep you moving with less pain. With orthopedic surgeon Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie and physician assistant Tiffany Belculfine, we trace the path from subtle twinges to “bone on bone,” separating osteoarthritis from autoimmune forms like rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. We start with the real-life clues: predictable pain after load, morning stiffness that eases with motion, swelling after runs or long days, and the crackle that makes you hesitate on stairs. Then we map the diagnostic basics—what joint space narrowing means, why knees often speak first under four to five times your body weight, and how hip and spine arthritis shape posture and daily function. From there, we offer a practical toolkit: NSAIDs and acetaminophen for flares, topical diclofenac gel, ice, activity tweaks, and targeted strength work for quads and hips to reduce joint stress. When simple steps aren’t enough, we explain office-based options in plain language. Steroid shots for short-term relief, viscosupplementation for lubrication in the right candidates, PRP to modulate inflammation, and cryoneurolysis that cools specific knee nerves to cut pain. Finally, we set clear expectations around timing a knee or hip replacement—what signals “end-stage,” how to weigh pain, function, and imaging, and why the best surgery is the one you need no sooner and no later than necessary. If your joints are talking, this conversation helps you listen—and act. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who’s avoiding stairs, and leave a review telling us the one activity you want to get back without pain. To learn more about The Bone and Joint Center at Magee-Womens Hospital visit: https://www.pghbjc.com Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie 300 Halket St. Pittsburgh, PA, 15213 412-683-7272 To learn more about The Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health visit: https://www.boneandjointhealth.org Tiffany Belculfine 300 Halket St., Suite 1601 Pittsburgh, PA, 15213 412-641-8594

    12 min

  4. 12/03/2025

    Understanding Osteopenia vs Osteoporosis For Real-Life Prevention

    How Does Osteopenia Differ From Osteoporosis? Most people don’t realize their bones are losing strength until a fracture forces the issue. We dive into the real-world differences between osteopenia and osteoporosis, why both conditions stay silent for years, and how early screening can change the arc of your health. With our team’s combined clinical experience, we break down DEXA scans, T-scores, and the risk factors that matter—smoking, alcohol, family history, chronic steroid use, chemotherapy, low activity, and nutrition gaps—so you can make informed choices before a break happens. We get practical about prevention. You’ll hear how weight-bearing exercise, resistance training, and balance work stimulate bone remodeling and cut fall risk, and how a food-first approach to calcium, vitamin D sufficiency, and enough protein supports stronger bones and muscles. We also address the quality-of-life realities: why fragility fractures disrupt independence, the surprising 33% mortality after hip fracture, and how focusing on everyday abilities—like getting off the floor or carrying groceries—protects the life you want to live. We also tackle a big myth: having osteoporosis does not automatically rule out hip or knee replacement. Osteoarthritis can coexist with low bone density, and careful surgical planning plus coordinated medical care can still deliver excellent outcomes. In fact, moving better after surgery can help rebuild strength and function, supporting your bone health long term. If you’ve delayed screening or felt unsure about next steps, this conversation gives you a clear, step-by-step way forward—screen early, move with purpose, fuel wisely, and repeat. If this helped you see bone health in a new light, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a nudge to schedule a DEXA scan, and leave a rating and review to help others find us. To learn more about The Bone and Joint Center at Magee-Womens Hospital visit: https://www.pghbjc.com Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie 300 Halket St. Pittsburgh, PA, 15213 412-683-7272 To learn more about The Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health visit: https://www.boneandjointhealth.org Tiffany Belculfine 300 Halket St., Suite 1601 Pittsburgh, PA, 15213 412-641-8594

    11 min

  5. 10/29/2025

    Meet The Pennsylvania Team Behind Stronger Joints: Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie and Physician Assistant, Tiffany Belculfine

    Meet the Hosts: Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie and Physician Assistant, Tiffany Belculfine Your knees sound like bubble wrap and your hips protest when you put on socks—so where do you start? We bring two sides of musculoskeletal care to the same table: a hip and knee reconstruction surgeon who handles complex cases and a physician assistant who leads prevention, education, and lifestyle support through a wellness center. Together, we map a clear path from early aches to confident movement, showing how smart choices now can slow arthritis and reduce the need for surgery later. We unpack the roles that operative and non-surgical care play across the life of joint disease, from targeted injections and joint replacements to strength training, mobility work, and bone health screening. You’ll hear why bone and joint health deserves the same priority as heart health, how to spot the right time for an evaluation, and what options exist before pain rules your day. We also talk candidly about community outreach, the power of word of mouth, and how social media helps busy people access trustworthy advice. Beyond clinic walls, we share the personal routines that keep us moving—parenting, sport, and creative outlets—and how those lived realities shape practical guidance. If you’re navigating knee pain, hip stiffness, osteoarthritis, or osteoporosis risk, this conversation offers a straightforward framework: start early, build strength, stay consistent, and choose interventions that match your goals. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s avoiding stairs, and leave a review with your top question for our upcoming FAQ episode. To learn more about The Bone and Joint Center at Magee-Womens Hospital visit: https://www.pghbjc.com Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie 300 Halket St. Pittsburgh, PA, 15213 412-683-7272 To learn more about The Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health visit: https://www.boneandjointhealth.org Tiffany Belculfine 300 Halket St., Suite 1601 Pittsburgh, PA, 15213 412-641-8594

    9 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

The Joint Effort Podcast is where mobility meets reality—and your future self says “thank you.” Hosted by Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie of the Bone and Joint Center at Magee-Womens Hospital and Tiffany Belculfine, PA-C at the Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health, this show is your go-to guide for aging actively across Western Pennsylvania.  Whether your knees sound like bubble wrap or your hips protest sock duty, Dr. Noelle and Tiffany break down everything from arthritis and osteoporosis to everyday aches and pains. With practical advice, real-life strategies, and a dose of humor, they’ll help you move better, feel stronger, and live well—one joint at a time. Tune in, take a breath, and let’s get you moving. To learn more about The Bone and Joint Center at Magee-Womens Hospital visit:    https://www.pghbjc.com Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie   300 Halket St.  Pittsburgh, PA, 15213   412-683-7272     To learn more about The Wellness Center for Bone and Joint Health visit:    https://www.boneandjointhealth.org   Tiffany Belculfine  300 Halket St., Suite 1601  Pittsburgh, PA, 15213   412-641-8594 

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Noelle DiGioia Guthrie & Tiffany Belculfine, PA
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Joint Effort Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Joint Effort Podcast