HSS Presents

This podcast was originally broadcast on and is the intellectual property of The AOFAS Orthopod-Cast. In this episode of the AOFAS Orthopod-Cast, co-hosts Dr. Matthew Conti and Dr. Joseph Park sit down with Dr. Martin O'Malley to investigate the alarming spike in Achilles tendon ruptures among NBA players. The group explores the impact of single-sport specialization and year-round training on tendon health, while debating the merits of operative versus non-operative care for elite and recreational athletes. Dr. O'Malley shares his rationale for preferring open surgical repair to maximize tension and outlines his specific rehab protocols, including the use of slant boards to prevent atrophy. This conversation offers essential insights for surgeons and sports enthusiasts seeking to understand the mechanics behind these career-altering injuries and the path to optimal recovery.

Chronic pain that doesn't respond to medications or surgery can feel like a dead end, but for some patients, spinal cord stimulation offers a path forward. In this episode of HSS Presents, Dr. Jeffrey Ciccone sits down with pain specialists Dr. Seth Waldman and Dr. Vladimir Kramskiy to break down how neurostimulation works, who it's right for, and what the latest science says about targeting the dorsal column versus the dorsal root ganglion. From the gate control theory of the 1960s to today's burst and high-frequency waveforms, they explore both the promise and the honest limitations of this evolving technology — and why patient selection makes all the difference.

In this episode of HSS Presents, Dr. Jeffrey Ciccone sits down with Dr. Heidi Prather to explore the vital difference between lifespan (how long you live) and healthspan (how long you stay healthy). As the founder of the HSS Lifestyle Medicine Program, Dr. Prather breaks down the six pillars of a healthy lifestyle—including nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management—and how they reduce harmful inflammation in the body. The conversation explains how everyday habits can help treat joint pain, reverse type 2 diabetes, and help patients recover faster and safer from surgery. With practical advice on tracking your health and using pain as a motivation for change, this episode offers a clear look at how lifestyle choices can dramatically improve your long-term mobility and well-being.

In this episode of HSS Presents, Dr. Matt Conti sits down with Dr. A. Holly Johnson to discuss the rapid progress and clinical benefits of minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery. The conversation explores how percutaneous techniques utilizing specialized burrs lead to smaller incisions, reduced soft tissue damage, and significantly faster recovery times for patients. Dr. Johnson candidly shares her own learning curve and highlights the most impactful minimally invasive procedures in her practice, from calcaneal osteotomies to bunion corrections and first MTP fusions. Balancing enthusiasm with caution, the experts also debate the complexities of the MIS Lapidus and lesser toe procedures, offering practical advice for surgeons looking to incorporate these game-changing techniques into their own practice.

In this episode, interventional spine physician Dr. Abhishek Gupta and spine surgeon Dr. Matthew Cunningham team up to tackle the tricky diagnosis and management of axial low back pain. They break down how to spot the differences between muscle issues, disc problems, and facet joint pain, using simple clues like whether a patient hurts more while standing or sitting. The duo also chats about why MRIs don't always tell the whole story and why diagnostic blocks can be a game-changer for pinpointing the source of pain. From conservative rehab and radiofrequency ablation to surgery, they outline a collaborative approach to finding patients lasting relief.