Maintaining strong, healthy bones isn’t just a concern for older adults—it’s essential for women at every age and stage of life. That was the key message from Duke Orthopaedic Surgery’s Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein, MD, associate professor and nationally recognized expert in sports medicine and women’s musculoskeletal health, during her recent interview on Dr. Greg Davis on Medicine, a health-focused podcast produced by WUKY.
Wittstein shared insights from her extensive Duke research on bone health in female athletes and active women, emphasizing the importance of early education and proactive care to prevent injuries and reduce fracture risk later in life.
“Bone health is not something we can afford to think about only after a problem arises,” Wittstein explained during the conversation. “It’s a lifelong priority that starts in childhood and continues through adulthood.”
The interview also highlighted Wittstein’s recent engagement with the Active Girls Healthy Women program at the University of Kentucky, where she led a coffee talk on strategies to support bone health across the lifespan. The program, part of UK’s Sports Medicine Research Institute, brings together clinicians, researchers, and educators to improve health outcomes for girls and women through research and outreach.
At Duke, Wittstein’s work focuses on optimizing musculoskeletal health for women, including research on injury prevention, post-traumatic arthritis, bone and joint health across the lifespan, and the unique challenges female athletes face. Her efforts aim to empower women with knowledge and tools to maintain mobility and independence throughout life.
Listen to the full interview: WUKY – Dr. Greg Davis on Medicine
Learn more about Dr. Wittstein’s work: Duke Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Profile