In this international edition of The Bone Health Basement Tapes, we welcome Dr. Jo De Schepper, a leading voice in musculoskeletal health from St. Niklaas, Belgium. As an orthopedic surgeon with a sub-practice focus on treating osteoporosis, Dr. De Schepper brings a uniquely integrated European perspective to the evolving role of bone health in surgical care.

Together, we explore three major themes shaping the future of osteoporosis management in his practice:

1. The Orthopedic Surgeon as a Bone Health Leader – Why Europe places orthopedic surgeons at the center of prevention and treatment, and how U.S. systems might evolve similarly.

2. Osteoporosis as a Chronic Disease, Not a Life Stage – A reframing of bone fragility as a long-term, manageable condition—akin to diabetes—that affects more than just the elderly.

3. A Total Innovation Package: Surgery + Digital Tools – As Principal Investigator of an injectable bone-strengthening agent currently in use in Europe, to emerging digital health platforms for longitudinal care, Dr. De Schepper discusses how comprehensive solutions—not isolated technologies—are the key to progress.

This cross-continental conversation offers new insights for U.S. providers looking to expand the scope of osteoporosis care, integrate new technologies, and align surgical practice with proactive skeletal health.

Jo De Schepper, MD is a distinguished orthopedic surgeon based in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, with a specialization in hip and knee pathology, hip arthroscopy, and osteoporosis management. He earned his medical degree from KU Leuven in 2003 and subsequently completed fellowships at renowned institutions, including the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, focusing on pelvic surgery, hip arthroscopy, and complex hip procedures.

In his clinical practice at Orthokliniek and AZ Nikolaas, Dr. De Schepper emphasizes joint replacement surgeries and bone-preserving techniques. Since 2021, he has been certified in robotic-assisted surgeries, utilizing the MAKO system for hip and knee prostheses

Dr. De Schepper is also actively involved in clinical research, serving as the principal investigator at AZ Nikolaas for AgNovos Healthcare's CONFIRM study. This study evaluates the AGN1 Local Osteo-Enhancement Procedure (LOEP), a minimally invasive treatment aimed at strengthening osteoporotic bones. His is the highest enrolling center for this study.

Beyond his clinical and research endeavors, Dr. De Schepper contributes to academic literature, with publications addressing topics such as vitamin D levels in orthopedic patients and surgical techniques in joint arthroplasty.

He is an active member of professional societies, including the Belgian Hip Society, the European Hip Society, and the Belgian Association for Orthopedics and Traumatology, and the Belgian Bone Club, reflecting his commitment to advancing orthopedic care both nationally and internationally.

The inaugural episode of the Bone Health Basement Tapes: Originals Series delves into the rich history of bone health research through the lens of one of its most influential figures: Dr. David W. Dempster, Professor Emeritus of Clinical Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University and Senior Research Fellow at the Regional Bone Center of Helen Hayes Hospital, where Dr. Dempster has been at the forefront of bone biology research for over four decades.

Dr. Dempster's journey began with a First-Class Honors degree and PhD from the University of Glasgow, followed by postdoctoral studies in Switzerland and France. His pioneering work in bone histomorphometry has provided critical insights into the pathophysiology and treatment of bone diseases, particularly osteoporosis. With over 200 research publications and continuous support from the National Institutes of Health for the past 30 years, his contributions have shaped our understanding of bone remodeling and the effects of various therapies on bone structure.

Beyond his research, Dr. Dempster has held prominent positions such as Past President of the International Society of Bone Morphometry and has served on the Scientific Advisory Council of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. His iconic micrographs of osteoporotic bone have been widely recognized, including permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution. As Editor-in-Chief of the fifth edition of the authoritative textbook Osteoporosis (affectionately known as “Big Red”), he continues to influence the field's direction.

This episode offers listeners an intimate exploration of Dr. Dempster's career, highlighting the evolution of bone health research and the enduring impact of his work on current and future generations in the field.

In this episode of The Bone Health Basement Tapes, we’re joined by the team from MiCare Path, ASOP’s strategic partner in building the Bone Health Optimization Platform (BHOP). Together, we dive into the real-world creation and performance of Bone Health Virtual Care Service Lines— separating fact from fiction and addressing common misconceptions around how virtual care codes actually work.

MiCare Path brings a proven track record from other healthcare verticals like cardiology and chronic care management, where their platform has demonstrated strong patient engagement and outcomes and successful reimbursement strategies. Now, they’re bringing that playbook to bone health and orthopedics — helping providers harness Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) and Principal Care Management (PCM) to extend care beyond the clinic walls and support patient chronic care management between visits.

We'll explore:

• Why RTM and PCM are more than just a billing tool — and how it's transforming musculoskeletal care.
• What orthopedic and osteoporosis providers can learn from virtual care service line success stories in other specialties.
• How to navigate RTM and PCM codes effectively and avoid the pitfalls of misaligned expectations.
• The vision behind the Bone Health Optimization Platform and where this collaboration is headed next.

Whether you're a clinician, health system leader, or digital health skeptic, this episode offers practical insights into how virtual care service lines — when done right — can power better bone health outcomes.