The $2,000 Hip Pain: Why Systemic Solutions Matter

🎙 Talking Rehab Podcast – Episode 60: "The $2,000 Hip Pain: Why Systemic Solutions Matter"

In this episode, I walk you through a real case involving a 10-year-old boy with hip pain. What started as a simple clinical concern quickly turned into a reflection on the inefficiencies of our healthcare system. I share what it’s like navigating specialty referrals, high deductibles, and trying to advocate for timely, affordable care—while practicing in a direct care model.

If you’ve ever wondered what “value-based care” looks like in the real world, or how something as basic as getting an x-ray can spiral into a $2,000 hospital visit, this episode is for you.

🕒 Timestamps for Key Moments:

• [00:00] – Why I started the podcast and what rehab means to me
• [01:00] – Busting the myth: direct care isn’t just for the wealthy
• [02:00] – The clinical case: a 10-year-old with progressive hip pain
• [03:00] – Ultrasound findings and the red flags every clinician should know
• [04:30] – Top differential diagnoses: SCFE, LCPD, and transient synovitis
• [05:30] – Calling the pediatric orthopedist: the reality of gatekeeping and systems barriers
• [07:00] – “Send them to the ER” – the most costly, inefficient route
• [10:00] – My alternative: working around the system to avoid unnecessary costs
• [11:00] – What this experience says about our healthcare priorities
• [12:00] – A call for new care models: direct orthopedic care and transparent pricing
• [13:00] – Is ultrasound underutilized in pediatric ortho triage?
• [14:00] – A message to medical students: question what you've been taught
• [15:00] – Final thoughts and a call to rethink what "value" really means in care

🎯 Whether you're a provider, a parent, or a med student, this story is a glimpse into the decisions we’re forced to make when systems get in the way of solutions.

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👉 If this story resonated with you, subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode. Let’s continue reimagining better care—together.

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