Dr. Jocelyn R. Wittstein, MD, associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University School of Medicine, is featured in the newly released OrthoInfo Podcast episode, “How Does Menopause Affect Bone and Joint Health?”.
In this episode, Dr. Wittstein joins host Dr. Mary K. Mulcahey, MD, FAAOS, to help listeners understand how the menopausal transition affects women’s bone and joint health, including the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause—a cluster of conditions driven by the sharp decline in estrogen during midlife. She explains how menopause contributes to frozen shoulder, accelerated bone loss, muscle changes, and early osteoarthritis, and she offers guidance on when women should seek medical evaluation and how to advocate for comprehensive, whole‑person care.
A Research Portfolio Shaping the Future of Women’s Musculoskeletal Health
Dr. Wittstein’s insights on the podcast reflect a robust and evolving research portfolio at Duke, where she studies critical intersections between women’s health, hormone physiology, and orthopaedic conditions. Her work includes ongoing investigations into:
She also serves as a co‑investigator on several NIH-funded studies examining knee biomechanics, meniscus healing, and injury mechanisms—collaborations with research leaders such as Dr. Louis DeFrate, PhD, professor of orthopaedic surgery, and Dr. Amy McNulty, PhD, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery.
Her clinical and scholarly work spans shoulder, elbow, and knee populations in both youth and adults, including research on gymnastics‑related injuries, throwing‑related elbow pathology, rotator cuff repair outcomes, and the integration of telemedicine into orthopaedic assessment.
Listen to the Episode: How Does Menopause Affect Bone and Joint Health?