Surgeon to The Lakers & Kardashians: "You Probably Don't Need Surgery"

In this episode of Getting Open, Andrea Miller sits down with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jason Snibbe to talk about what really helps people stay mobile, strong, and pain-free as they age. Rather than jumping straight to surgery, Dr. Snibbe explains why movement, strength training, muscle preservation, and lifestyle choices can make a major difference in joint health and recovery. They break down what arthritis actually is, when joint replacement becomes necessary, and why treatments like PRP, hyaluronic acid, and certain regenerative therapies may help some patients delay or avoid surgery. Dr. Snibbe also shares his perspective on stem cells, cortisone injections, hormone support, and the role of protein, creatine, and resistance training in maintaining muscle and bone health. The conversation also explores the powerful connection between stress, sleep, mindset, community, and physical pain, along with newer approaches to recovery that emphasize movement over prolonged immobilization. Dr. Snibbe explains why understanding your diagnosis can reduce fear, when to use ice versus heat, and why a more personalized, human approach to orthopedic care can completely change the healing experience. In this episode, you’ll learn: Chapters: 00:00 How to Prevent Aches, Pains & Joint Problems 02:22 Why Listening to Patients Changes Their Care 06:05 Don’t Treat the MRI, Treat the Person 08:29 Hip Pain, Back Pain & Knowing When to See a Doctor 11:18 Why Your Whole Body Matters When Diagnosing Pain 12:16 The Importance of Movement as You Age 13:23 X-Rays, MRIs & Figuring Out What’s Really Wrong 14:58 Why Seeing an Orthopedic Surgeon Doesn’t Mean You Need Surgery 16:44 The Most Important Thing You Can Do to Preserve Muscle as You Age 17:27 Weight Training, Creatine, Amino Acids & Protein 19:57 The Best Ways to Get More Protein 22:09 Protecting Bone Density & Preventing Osteoporosis 23:33 Hormone Replacement, Testosterone & Maintaining Muscle 28:51 Inflammation, Arthritis & What Damages Your Joints 30:04 How to Know When It’s Finally Time for a Joint Replacement 31:25 What Arthritis Actually Is 33:07 Can We Regrow Damaged Cartilage? 35:27 The Promise and Risks of Stem Cell Therapy 39:17 Why Some Meniscus Surgeries Can Make Things Worse 40:46 How PRP Therapy Helps Injuries Heal 42:57 What to Expect From a PRP Injection 44:25 Why Surgery Shouldn’t Always Be the First Option 47:06 The Problem With Too Many Cortisone Shots 48:53 Hyaluronic Acid, PRP & the “Cocktail” for Arthritis 50:31 How Stress, Sleep & Your Mental Health Affect Physical Pain 51:24 Why Community Is a Pillar of Longevity 53:26 How Your Mindset Can Affect Healing & Recovery 54:34 Reinventing the Surgery Experience 57:24 The Future of AI & Technology in Orthopedic Care 1:00:51 Why Dr. Snibbe Created a Shoe for People Who Stand All Day 1:02:50 The Athlete Dr. Snibbe Would Love to Operate On 1:03:33 The Biggest Myth People Believe About Pain 1:05:06 Why Understanding Your Diagnosis Can Reduce Fear 1:07:02 Why Movement Is Now a Key Part of Injury Recovery 1:08:44 Ice vs. Heat: Which Should You Use for an Injury? 1:10:26 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy & the Future of Healing FOLLOW US: ✨ Getting Open: https://www.instagram.com/gettingopen  ✨ Andrea Miller: https://www.instagram.com/andreamilleryourtango  ✨ YourTango: https://www.instagram.com/yourtango  🤍 Visit YourTango: https://www.YourTango.com  Catch new episodes of Getting Open with Andrea Miller every Tuesday at 3 PM ET: https://www.youtube.com/@GettingOpenPodcast 📩 Have a relationship issue or topic you'd like to discuss on the show? Email us: [gettingopen@yourtango.com](mailto:gettingopen@yourtango.com) \# # # # #