The Joint Replacement Podcast

Matthew Sloan, MD
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Hosted by orthopedic surgeon Matthew Sloan, MD, Director of Robotics in Orthopedic Surgery at Emerson Health in Concord, Massachusetts, this podcast helps patients understand hip and knee replacement surgery. Dr. Sloan interviews leading joint replacement surgeons about robotic surgery, implant technology, recovery, and how to choose the right surgeon. Clear, expert guidance for anyone considering joint replacement or looking to stay active and pain-free.

  1. 2d ago

    The First Month After Knee Replacement: Week-by-Week Recovery

    What really happens after you leave the hospital following a knee replacement? In this episode of The Joint Replacement Podcast, I walk through the first month of recovery week by week—including the physical challenges and the psychological transition that patients may not expect. We cover: • Week 1: Survival & Stability — pain, swelling, disrupted sleep, fatigue, and learning to accept help• Week 2: Variability — why recovery isn't linear and why a bad day doesn't necessarily mean you're going backward• Week 3: The Emotional Dip — when progress can feel slow, motivation falls, and discipline becomes especially important• Week 4: Momentum — when walking, strength, pain, and confidence may begin to noticeably improve I also explain the “false plateau,” why doing too much on a good day can backfire, and why pain or swelling after increased activity can sometimes be feedback rather than failure. The first month after knee replacement isn't just physical recovery. It's a transition from dependence to independence—and from uncertainty to confidence. If you're preparing for knee replacement, recovering now, or helping someone through the process, this episode gives you a practical roadmap for those critical first four weeks. For general educational purposes only. Individual recovery varies. Always follow the recommendations of your own surgical team.

  2. 6d ago

    Joint Preservation and the Evolution of Hip & Knee Surgery with Atul Kamath, MD

    What happens when a surgeon can offer both joint preservation and joint replacement? Dr. Atul Kamath joins The Joint Replacement Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about how modern hip and knee care has evolved—from anterior hip replacement and robotic surgery to hip arthroscopy, osteotomy, cartilage restoration, partial knee replacement, and outpatient surgery. This is also a personal episode for me: Dr. Kamath was one of my attendings during my orthopedic residency at Penn and one of the first surgeons to introduce me to the anterior approach to total hip replacement. We discuss how the anterior approach has evolved, why surgical experience and fundamentals still matter in the age of robotics, and how technology is allowing surgeons to increasingly personalize joint replacement. Dr. Kamath describes his evolution from traditional mechanical knee alignment toward a more individualized, technology-driven approach. We also take a deep dive into younger patients who aren't yet obvious candidates for joint replacement. Dr. Kamath explains the roles of hip arthroscopy, PAO, knee osteotomy, cartilage restoration, and partial knee replacement—and why the right procedure depends on much more than a patient's age. Finally, we tackle some of the questions patients ask every day: Can PRP or stem cells regrow cartilage? When is an osteotomy better than a partial knee replacement? What is the role of core decompression for avascular necrosis? And when has arthritis progressed far enough that joint replacement becomes the more predictable solution? A fascinating look at the continuum of modern hip and knee care—from preserving the native joint to replacing it. Educational content only and not a substitute for individualized medical advice.

  3. Aug 14

    The Future of Joint Replacement with Kevin Bozic, MD, MBA

    What does better joint replacement care actually look like—and should success be measured by the surgery itself or by the health outcomes that matter most to the patient? In this episode of The Joint Replacement Podcast, Dr. Matthew Sloan speaks with Kevin Bozic, MD, MBA, Chair of the Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin and former President of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Bozic explains why value-based healthcare should focus first on improving pain, function, and quality of life rather than simply reducing costs. He shares how his multidisciplinary practice integrates physical therapy, weight management, behavioral health, and patient-reported outcomes to manage the entire spectrum of hip and knee arthritis—not just surgery. They also explore bundled payments, Medicare reimbursement, the limitations of fee-for-service medicine, patient activation, appropriate surgical selection, and why the future may involve paying healthcare teams to manage a patient's condition rather than individual procedures. Finally, Dr. Bozic shares a unique perspective as both a joint replacement expert and a joint replacement patient himself, including how he chose his own surgeon and why he cared more about surgeon experience, volume, outcomes, facility quality, and trust than the specific implant or surgical approach. A fascinating conversation about what joint replacement looks like when we stop asking only “How do we perform surgery better?” and start asking “How do we improve the patient's health?” 🎧 Follow The Joint Replacement Podcast for weekly conversations with leaders shaping the future of hip and knee replacement. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.

  4. Aug 14

    The Surgeon Who Became the Patient: Knee Replacement, Robotics & Recovery | Farzin Kabaei, MD

    What changes when a joint replacement surgeon experiences knee replacement from the other side of the operating table? Dr. Farzin Kabaei is a Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement, complex reconstruction, and orthopedic trauma. But his perspective on joint replacement is also deeply personal. After an ACL injury as a teenager, progressive arthritis, a high tibial osteotomy, multiple surgeries, and years of worsening knee pain, he ultimately underwent a knee replacement himself. In this episode, we discuss how that experience changed the way he counsels patients about pain, expectations, timing, and recovery. We explore how to know when arthritis is truly bad enough for surgery, why an X-ray alone shouldn't determine whether you need a joint replacement, and why expectations for hip and knee replacement can be very different. Dr. Kabaei also shares his approach to robotic knee replacement, anterior hip replacement and the bikini incision, injections including cortisone, hyaluronic acid and PRP, and the role of nutrition, exercise, breathwork, and preparation in recovery. Perhaps most importantly, we hear what a knee replacement actually feels like from someone who both performs the operation and lives with one every day. 🎙️ The Joint Replacement Podcast Educational content only. This podcast does not constitute individualized medical advice.

  5. Aug 11

    Stephen Howell, MD — The History and Future of Kinematic Alignment in Knee Replacement

    Dr. Stephen Howell is one of the pioneers of kinematic alignment in total knee replacement. In this episode, we explore his journey from ACL reconstruction research to developing one of the most influential alignment philosophies in modern arthroplasty. We discuss the biomechanics of the native knee, patient-specific instrumentation, implant design, robotics, and why restoring normal anatomy may lead to more natural-feeling knee replacements. Whether you're a patient preparing for surgery or an orthopedic surgeon interested in the evolution of knee replacement, this conversation provides an in-depth look at where the field has been—and where it's headed. Search The Joint Replacement Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to follow for future episodes. For more information about the KA-Optimized curriculum please visit https://www.kaoptimizedtka.com/

  6. Aug 8

    Professor Justin Cobb (Imperial College London) | Hip Resurfacing, Implant Innovation & the Future of Hip Replacement

    In Episode #34 of The Joint Replacement Podcast, I welcome Professor Justin Cobb from Imperial College London, one of the world's leading orthopedic innovators and pioneers in hip resurfacing and implant development. Throughout our conversation, Professor Cobb shares how engineering, biomechanics, and decades of research have shaped his approach to hip replacement and led to the development of a next-generation ceramic hip resurfacing implant. We discuss: Professor Cobb's journey into orthopedic surgeryImplant design and innovationComputer-assisted surgery and roboticsThe evolution of hip resurfacingCeramic-on-ceramic hip resurfacing technologyHip resurfacing versus total hip replacementWhich patients may benefit mostBone preservation and athletic performanceThe future of joint replacement surgeryIf you're interested in the latest advances in hip replacement or want to understand how today's innovations may shape the future of orthopedic care, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Search The Joint Replacement Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations with the world's leading joint replacement experts.

  7. Jul 28

    Ran Schwarzkopf, MD (NYU): Robotics, AI, Implant Longevity & When It's Time for Joint Replacement

    In Episode #33, Dr. Matthew Sloan sits down with Dr. Ran Schwarzkopf of NYU Langone Health to discuss the evolution of modern hip and knee replacement. From robotic-assisted surgery and artificial intelligence to implant longevity, revision surgery, recovery, and choosing the right surgeon, Dr. Schwarzkopf shares decades of experience caring for complex joint replacement patients while offering practical advice for anyone considering surgery. Whether you're a patient, surgeon, trainee, or simply interested in the future of orthopedic surgery, this episode offers an inside look at where joint replacement is headed—and what it means for patients today.

  8. Jul 23

    Jeremy Gililland, MD | Engineering Innovation, Anterior Hip Replacement & the Future of Joint Replacement Surgery

    Dr. Jeremy Gililland is Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Chief of Adult Reconstruction at the University of Utah. With a unique background in mechanical engineering before medicine, he brings an engineer's mindset to some of the most complex problems in hip and knee replacement surgery. In this episode of The Joint Replacement Podcast, Dr. Matthew Sloan and Dr. Gililland discuss: How designing bicycles led him to orthopedic surgeryWhy anterior hip replacement has become his preferred approachThe evolution of complex anterior revision surgeryEngineering innovations that led to the development of fluoroscopic navigation technologyThe future of robotics versus manual surgeryCemented vs. cementless fixationHip fracture treatment and total hip replacementResearch collaborations shaping modern arthroplastyHow he trains residents and fellows in academic medicineRecovery timelines after hip and knee replacementWhen patients should consider joint replacementAdvice every patient should know before choosing a surgeonWhether you're a patient considering hip or knee replacement, an orthopedic surgeon, resident, fellow, or simply interested in the future of orthopedic innovation, this episode is packed with practical insights and thoughtful discussion. 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ 🎙️ Search "The Joint Replacement Podcast" wherever you get your podcasts. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, comment, and share—it helps us reach more patients and healthcare professionals. #JointReplacement #HipReplacement #KneeReplacement #OrthopedicSurgery #AnteriorHipReplacement

See All (42)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Hosted by orthopedic surgeon Matthew Sloan, MD, Director of Robotics in Orthopedic Surgery at Emerson Health in Concord, Massachusetts, this podcast helps patients understand hip and knee replacement surgery. Dr. Sloan interviews leading joint replacement surgeons about robotic surgery, implant technology, recovery, and how to choose the right surgeon. Clear, expert guidance for anyone considering joint replacement or looking to stay active and pain-free.

Information