Joint Effort PAs
We're two orthopedic surgery physician assistants discussing PA school, life as a PA, cases and topics related to orthopedics, and much more!
Episodes
41 episodes
Orthopedics in the Age of AI
What happens when artificial intelligence enters the ortho world? In this episode of Joint Effort PAs, we dive into the rapidly growing role of AI in orthopedics and medicine — from clinic documentation, imaging interpretation, and patient educ...
Out of Office, Still Logged On
In this episode of Joint Effort PAs, we’re diving into the complicated relationship healthcare providers have with time off, productivity, and the constant pressure to “do more.” Why does taking PTO somehow feel more stressful than just going t...
Can't Miss Ortho Injuries
Some injuries you can watch, rehab, and recheck… and then there are the ones you absolutely cannot afford to miss.This week on Joint Effort PAs, we’re breaking down the big tendon injuries that should immediately be on...
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Growth, Goals & New Opportunities
Just a little weekly life update from your favorite ortho chaos coordinators. In this episode, we’re recapping how things have been growing on the podcast (👀 we see you guys), and outside of it!We’re also getting into our own pr...
Why Your PA is Running Behind
Running late? Groundbreaking. We know.In this episode, we’re diving into the real reasons your PA is behind.Between double-booked schedules, “quick” visits that turn into anything but, insurance hoops, add-on patients, an...
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Losing the Fire & the Fix : Navigating Stagnation in your Practice as a PA
"Why doesn’t this feel as exciting as it used to?”In this episode of Joint Effort PAs, we’re getting real about something not talked about enough—losing the fire in your career. The feeling of stagnation, going t...
Ortho Crushes: The Procedures We Can't Stop Thinking About
You know that feeling when a case just hits… and suddenly you’re thinking about it all the time? Yeah—this episode is about those procedures 😅In this episode of Joint Effort PAs, Beth and Hannah dive into their c...
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Celebrating Athletic Training Month
March is Athletic Training Month, and we’re highlighting one of the most essential—and often underrecognized—members of the orthopedic care team: the certified athletic trainer (ATC).In this episode, we sit down with an ATC to break down...
The Injuries Behind the Madness
Bracket busters, buzzer beaters… and a lot of orthopedic injuries.In this episode of Joint Effort PAs, we break down the most common injuries seen during basketball season and March Madness—from the classic ankle sprain to the big...
Things that Keep Us Awake at Night : Total Joint Infections
In this episode of Joint Effort PAs, we’re talking about the cases that keep orthopedic providers up at night—starting with the big one: joint infections.From septic joints to postoperative infections -we break down the cli...
When Ortho went Quiet : How we were Changed by Covid
6 years ago, the world stopped—and so did elective orthopedics.In this episode of Joint Effort PAs, we take a look back at the early days of the COVID shutdown and how it changed life inside an outpatient orthopedic practice. From...
Ortho Myth Busters
We’ve heard it all.“Typing causes carpal tunnel.” “Steroid injections destroy your joints.” “PA school is the easy route.” “Lifting weights ruins your knees.”In this episode, we’re opening the files and ...
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The Martyr Complex
In orthopedics, high standards are the norm. We pride ourselves on being efficient, reliable, and unshakeable. But what happens when that drive quietly turns into self-sacrifice? In this episode of Joint Effort PAs, we unpa...
Would You Rather: Ortho PA Edition
Welcome to the Ortho PA Game Show 🎙️🦴In this episode, we put each other in the hot seat with rapid-fire “this or that,” would-you-rather scenarios, and the ultimate ortho pet peeve questions. From clinic vs OR debates to what irritates u...
PA Burnout & System Friction
Physician Assistants in orthopedics carry significant responsibility for patient care—from clinic evaluations to the operating room and postoperative recovery. Yet many PAs experience burnout not from the work itself, but from feeling unheard a...
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Weekly Rounds: Clinic Recaps & Real-Life Tangents
We’re recapping our week in orthopedics and diving into the conversations and curiosities that naturally came up along the way — from clinic cases and patient questions to career reflections, tangents, and the real-life stuff that exists outsid...
Level Up
It's time to level up! We're pushing the boundaries this year in every way possible, scheduling, volume, our sanity, etc. We are also plunging into the world of regenerative medicine. This week, join us as we brush the surface level of how we a...
Dating in PA School
PA school will teach you a lot… including what not to tolerate while dating.We’re breaking down what dating really looks like during PA school.We cover:Dating classmates (pros, cons, and hard no’s)...
Dilemmas of the Ortho PA
Being an orthopedic PA means living in the gray.In this episode, we dive into the ethical dilemmas unique to orthopedic practice — the moments that don’t show up in textbooks but define real-world decision-making. From surgical vs non-o...
2025 Wrapped- Orthopedic PA Edition
2025 was… a year. We’re taking a look back at the moments that defined the year — the wins, the chaos, and the lessons no one teaches you in PA school.From evolving confidence, our use of AI, and goals going into next ...
Grip & Grapes- Building a Hand Surgery Practice from the Ground Up
In this episode of Joint Effort PAs, we sip wine and break down the real-world insights behind what its really like starting out early on in practice from our favorite hand surgeon. From creating the PA–surgeon partnership , balancing th...
Decoding Surgeon Personalities
In this episode of Joint Effort PAs, we’re breaking down the most common surgeon personality archetypes you’ll encounter- from the hyper-focused perfectionist to the cowboy, with the help of our OR Nurse guest!We talk:
Holiday Office Parties - Ortho Edition
Holiday office parties in medicine hit a little different. One minute you’re talking clinic schedules and call coverage, the next you’re seeing your coworkers in cocktail attire wondering how we all ended up here.In this episo...
Surviving Clinical Rotations in PA School
Surviving clinical rotations in PA school isn’t for the faint of heart — it’s for the chronically exhausted, over-caffeinated, and wildly determined. In this episode, we break down the highs, lows, and “did that really just happen?” moments of ...
Awkward Patient Encounters
Welcome to another episode of ‘why didn’t anyone warn us about this in PA school?’ We’re talking all things awkward patient encounters — the weird comments, the situations you just aren't quite sure how to handle, and the things we wish we coul...
