Rebuilding the Human Body

About This Episode

On this episode of StarTalk Sports Edition, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice are investigating how we rebuild our elite athletes. Joining them for this episode is Dr. Kevin R. Stone, MD. Kevin is an Orthopedic Surgeon at The Stone Clinic, Chairman at the Stone Research Foundation, and author of the upcoming book Play Forever: How to Recovery From Injury and Thrive. He’s here to help us understand what’s going on in the field today. 

Find out the differences between getting surgery vs. pain management. Kevin tells us how having a scientist’s mind allows him to always keep learning. You’ll learn about “biologics.” You’ll also find out why Kevin says we’re currently in the “anabolic era” of orthopedics. And, why tissue donation and working with growth factors have been two game changers in the field. 

Kevin explains why most sports injuries are actually mental errors. Discover why 85% of the people in the world who are told they need a knee replacement actually don’t. We ponder what human beings will look like in ten years and Kevin tells us why his goal is to have you playing the sport you love until you’re 100 years old. 

Then, we take a look at the career of an elite athlete who is a close friend to the show…our own co-host Gary O’Reilly! Gary gives us insight into the injuries he had to deal with throughout his career. We explore what were the most common soccer injuries during the 80s and 90s. You’ll also learn how the type of game you play influences the injuries you might get. And, Gary tells us why he called it quits. 

In our last segment, we look towards the future. You’ll hear about the body’s ability to heal itself. How have ballet injuries changed over time? Can we use animal tissue to heal humans? Could biologics help give us a cure for COVID-19? All that, plus, we debate the ethics that come with the territory.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.

About the prints that flank Neil in this video:

“Black Swan” & “White Swan” limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver.