Bad to the Bones

Back Pain: Getting to the Root Cause with Dr. Joseph Zerbo

Back pain is one of the most common — and most frustrating — issues people face. But what if the real problem isn’t where the pain is? On this episode of Bad to the Bones Podcast, Dr. Joseph Zerbo breaks down how to truly get to the root cause of back pain.
In this conversation, we explore:
Why starting with the patient’s story is the key to proper diagnosis
The truth about MRIs and why they may not always be the first step
How collaborative care at POA helps patients get faster, better care
Conservative vs. interventional vs. surgical treatment options
The emotional toll of back pain & how a team approach makes a difference
New advancements in spine care that are improving patient outcomes
How neck pain can come from the shoulder, and back pain can come from the hips
If you're living with back pain or caring for someone who is, this episode is packed with expert advice, hope, and a pathway toward better outcomes.
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Bad to the Bones: Why Young Athletes Get Injured More Often: Growth Spurts, Pain, and Prevention

Why are young athletes—who seem strong, flexible, and full of energy—more prone to injuries, especially during growth spurts? In this episode with Dr. Ravin Patel, double board certified family medicine and sports medicine with Premier Orthopaedic Associates, we dive into the biomechanics and psychology behind youth sports injuries. Learn why rapid bone growth outpaces tendon and ligament development, creating a temporary mismatch that can lead to overuse injuries like Osgood-Schlatter’s disease and Sever’s disease. We also explore:
🔹 The impact of muscle tightness and decreased coordination 🔹 Why the lower extremities (hips, knees, calves, ankles) are most affected🔹 The role of emotional and psychological stress in injury risk🔹 Early warning signs and how to detect movement compensations🔹 Tips for injury prevention and better performance
Whether you're a parent, coach, or young athlete, this episode offers essential insights to help reduce injuries and build resilient, high-performing bodies.
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Visit https://www.poasnj.com/ to learn more about our services.

Bad to the Bones: Hip and Knee

Our host Debra is accompanied by Dr. Eddie Wu, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, Fellowship Trained Adult Total Joint Reconstruction. In this episode, Dr. Wu dives into hip and knee replacements while explaining his experience in the field.
 
Visit https://www.poasnj.com/ to learn more about our services.

Bad to the Bones: Robotic Joint Replacement & Arthritis

Our host Debra is accompanied by Dr. Mohamed F. Albana, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, Fellowship Trained Total Joint Reconstruction . In this episode, Dr. Albana explains the benefits of robotic total joint replacement and his approach to treating arthritis.
 
Visit https://www.poasnj.com/ to learn more about our services.

Bad to the Bones: Spine Health

Our host Debra is accompanied by Dr. Rahul V. Shah, a Board Certified Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and Fellowship Trained Spine Surgery. In this episode, Dr. Shah helps you understand common back issues and the importance of spine health.
 
Visit https://www.poasnj.com/ to learn more about our services.

Bad to the Bones: Rotator Cuffs

Our host Debra is accompanied by Dr. Andrew J Mostello, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellowship Trained Sports Medicine. In this episode, Dr. Mostello dives deep into rotator cuffs and how they play a roll in everyday activities.
 
Visit https://www.poasnj.com/ to learn more about our services.

Bad to the Bones: Hand Surgery

Our host Debra is accompanied by Dr. Peter Sarkos, a Board Certified Orthopedic Hand Surgeon and Fellowship Trained Hand Wrist and Microvascular Surgery as well as Emily Morales, an Occupational Therapy Doctor. In this episode, our guests explore questions you might have about orthopedic hand surgery and the therapy that follows.
 
Visit https://www.poasnj.com/ to learn more about our services.

Bad to the Bones: Meniscus Tears

Our host Debra is accompanied by Dr. Andrew J Mostello, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellowship Trained Sports Medicine. In this episode, Dr. Mostello dives deep into meniscal tears.
 
Visit https://www.poasnj.com/ to learn more about our services.

Bad to the Bones: Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Our host Debra is accompanied by Dr. Fred McAlpin, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellowship Trained Sports Medicine. In this episode, Dr. McAlpin talks all things Orthopedic Sports Medicine.
 
Visit https://www.poasnj.com/ to learn more about our services.

Bad to the Bones: Introduction to the Practice

Debra and Rita kick off the Bad to the Bones series with an introduction to Premier Orthopaedic Associates.
 
Visit https://www.poasnj.com/ to learn more about our services.