Jocelyn Wittstein, MD, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at Duke, was recently featured in Oprah Daily for her expert insights on the musculoskeletal impacts of menopause. The article, titled “Yes, Menopause Can Trigger Chronic Pain. Here’s What to Look Out For,” (published October 13, 2025), discusses how hormonal changes during menopause can cause chronic joint pain, inflammation, and other orthopaedic issues for women.
As a nationally recognized leader in sports medicine and women’s musculoskeletal health, Dr. Wittstein shared her clinical outlook on what she calls the “musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause.” This often-overlooked condition includes symptoms like frozen shoulder, accelerated arthritis, bone density loss, and muscle mass decline—all of which can significantly impact mobility and quality of life.
“We’re finally starting to connect the dots between hormonal changes and musculoskeletal symptoms,” said Dr. Wittstein. “Women experiencing menopause often feel dismissed when they report joint pain, but there’s a real biological basis for what they’re going through.”
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Wittstein is a prominent advocate for enhancing care for women in midlife. She co-developed the Musculoskeletal Symptoms of Menopause (MSM) Registry with her Duke colleague, Dr. Anne Ford, an associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. This innovative project is the first of its kind to gather data on menopause-related musculoskeletal symptoms systematically. By identifying patterns and gaps in care, the MSM Registry helps shape evidence-based treatment strategies, increase awareness among clinicians, and guide future research—ultimately improving quality of life for women going through menopause.
Her leadership in this space also led to an invitation to join the Milken Institute’s Women’s Health Innovation Initiative, a national effort to accelerate research and innovation in women’s health.
In the Oprah Daily article, Dr. Wittstein highlights the importance of early intervention, strength training, and anti-inflammatory nutrition to support long-term bone and joint health. Her contribution helps raise awareness of the need for greater proactive care for women navigating midlife changes.
Dr. Wittstein’s feature continues her mission to empower women with knowledge and strategies for maintaining lifelong mobility and wellness. Her work not only raises awareness about menopause and chronic pain but also demonstrates Duke’s dedication to advancing women’s health through expert care, research, and advocacy.