The Boneheads Podcast

Rajeev Pandarinath and Asheesh Gupta

Two orthopedic surgeons, one mic, and zero filter. The Boneheads is where sports medicine meets sideline banter — Dr. Rajeev Pandarinath and Dr. Asheesh Gupta break down the biggest injuries in sports, from torn ACLs to ruptured Achilles tendons, with sharp insight and a dose of humor only surgeons can get away with. Whether you’re an athlete, fan, or just someone who’s pulled a hamstring jogging, you’ll walk away smarter — and probably laughing.

Episodes

  1. Apr 1

    VO2 Max Explained by the Boneheads

    Really, what is VO2 Max? Your favorite boneheads explain the science of this parameter, how it is measured, and what it means for your longevity.

    9 min

  2. Feb 24

    Peptides: Performance Booster or Medical Hype?

    From tendon healing to muscle recovery and anti-aging claims, peptides are being marketed as the next frontier in performance medicine. Asheesh takes a deep dive into the evidence (and lack thereof) behind the most commonly discussed peptides, how they’re regulated, potential risks, and what athletes and active adults need to know before considering them.

    9 min

  3. Jan 15

    AI, Robots, and the Future of Orthopedic Surgery (Are We Training Our Replacements?)

    Are robots and AI taking over orthopedic surgery — or is this just expensive hype? In this episode of The Boneheads, Dr. Rajeev Pandarinath and Dr. Asheesh Gupta break down what AI and robotics are actually doing in the OR today, where they genuinely help, where they don’t, and why the surgeon still matters more than the technology. We talk real benefits, real limitations, real costs, and answer the questions patients actually ask — including what happens when the robot messes up. Smart, honest, and hype-free.

    12 min

  4. Jan 8

    Skiing and Knee Injuries - How to Have Fun Without Blowing your ACL

    Ski season is here — and so are knee injuries. Dr. Pandarinath and Dr. Gupta break down why skiing is so rough on your knees, the most common injuries they see, how to reduce your risk (hint: your bindings matter), and what to do if you take a bad fall. Honest advice, real-world examples, and a few laughs to help you enjoy the slopes without ending your season in the OR.

    14 min

  5. 11/21/2025

    PRP & Stem Cells: Miracle Juice or Medical Nonsense?

    Every athlete seems to get PRP or ‘stem cells’ these days — but does any of it actually work? In this episode, the Boneheads dive head-first into the world of biologics to separate real science from medical mythology. We break down what PRP actually does, why most ‘stem cell’ treatments in the U.S. don’t contain real stem cells, and what’s really happening inside those expensive international clinics promising to ‘regrow cartilage.’ We look at the evidence by injury, roast the $10,000 cash-pay clinics selling hope in a syringe, and explain why your favorite NFL player didn’t actually heal overnight — even if ESPN said he did. If you’ve ever wondered whether these treatments are miracle medicine or just really fancy orange juice, this is your episode.

    22 min

  6. 10/27/2025

    The Hidden Hip Problem That Ended Rafael Nadal’s and Andy Murray’s Careers

    The Boneheads break down femoroacetabular impingement, or FAI, and discuss some famous athletes who have suffered the consequences of this common hip problem. 1. What can be done to curb the progression of hip pain from femoroacetabular impingement? 2. What is hip arthroscopy like? How is the recovery from surgery? 3. How have famous tennis stars fared in their battle with FAI?

    13 min

  7. 10/23/2025

    Jayden Daniels’ Hamstring: What It Means, How He Heals, and When He’s Back

    Drs. Pandarinath and Gupta break down the latest injury to the Commanders' star QB. Listen along for information on the road to recovery, expected impact to fantasy production, and an explanation of hamstring injuries.

    7 min

  8. 10/17/2025

    The NBA Achilles Epidemic

    This postseason felt like a Greek tragedy — Achilles after Achilles going down across the NBA. In this episode, orthopedic surgeons (and self-proclaimed Boneheads) Dr. Rajeev Pandarinath and Dr. Asheesh Gupta break down why we saw an unprecedented rash of tendon ruptures this year. They recap the star-studded injury list, dissect possible causes — from training load and aging superstars to shoe tech and tendon degeneration — and debate what the league can actually do to prevent the next wave. Rajeev also opens up about his own Achilles rupture while playing tennis and what that rehab really feels like from the inside out. It’s equal parts anatomy, sports medicine, and gallows humor — the orthopedic take on the NBA’s toughest injury.

    12 min

  9. 10/17/2025

    Tyreek Hill’s Knee Dislocation: What It Really Means and His Road to Recovery

    Tyreek Hill — one of the fastest men in football — suffers one of the most devastating injuries in sports: a knee dislocation. In this episode of The Sports Medicine Playbook, Dr. Rajeev Pandarinath and Dr. Asheesh Gupta break down what a true knee dislocation actually is (spoiler: it’s not your kneecap popping out), why it’s a limb-threatening emergency, and what recovery really looks like for elite athletes. They compare Hill’s case to other NFL stars like Teddy Bridgewater, Alex Smith, and Nick Chubb — and talk about what it takes to make it back to the field. Expect sharp orthopedic insight, a few bad jokes, and some hard truth about how even the most superhuman athletes can’t out-sprint biology.

    10 min
  • 9 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Two orthopedic surgeons, one mic, and zero filter. The Boneheads is where sports medicine meets sideline banter — Dr. Rajeev Pandarinath and Dr. Asheesh Gupta break down the biggest injuries in sports, from torn ACLs to ruptured Achilles tendons, with sharp insight and a dose of humor only surgeons can get away with. Whether you’re an athlete, fan, or just someone who’s pulled a hamstring jogging, you’ll walk away smarter — and probably laughing.

Information

  • Creator
    Rajeev Pandarinath and Asheesh Gupta
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rajeev Pandarinath and Asheesh Gupta
  • Show Website
    The Boneheads Podcast