Nick Pappas, MD

12/29/2025

I just don't wanna end up like Derek in 2026!

👉 Fun fact: this video actually got the most likes overall across all the social media platforms for me in 2025.

12/28/2025

🚨 I often get asked in the office whether collagen peptides and other similar supplements work for various orthopedic issues like osteoarthritis or osteoporosis 🦴

👉 Here are my thoughts on the subject based on the most recent research:

https://youtu.be/x_7fuianm6M?si=XirRxrKuvw0v-Kgq

From an orthopedic standpoint, one of the biggest issues we face as we age is that the collagen which makes up not only our skin, but also our bones, joints,...

12/28/2025

Would you want to keep your amputated body part?

😷 For those wondering about my experience with hip replacements, hip replacement was probably one of the most common surgeries I performed in my orthopedic surgery residency. We do them not just for arthritis, but also for displaced femoral neck fractures in older patients.

12/28/2025

Sorry, folks! Maybe one day…

👉 Obviously, this is a joke. As an orthopedic surgeon, I am aware that surgeons can have big egos. We also do tend to complain about things. At the end of the day though, most of us are pretty reasonable and really only want the best outcomes for our patients.

👏 Thanks so much to the OR staff, clinic and floor nurses, x-ray technologists, medical assistants, as well as the anesthesia providers who deal with us on a regular basis. We really do appreciate all of your help in working with us to produce the best possible results for our patients.

12/27/2025

Comment CREATINE and I’ll send you a link to the creatine I prefer (creatine monohydrate), which is produced in cGMP-certified laboratories and is offered by my evidence-based health education company

🚨 Creatine is not just for bodybuilders! Many healthcare providers are now discussing the use of creatine with women of all ages (but especially post-menopausal) who want to build/maintain muscle mass as well as elderly patients looking for cognitive support 🧠.

☝️ Creatine is a naturally-occurring substance that can be obtained from foods such as meat or fish, but is also produced by the body in the pancreas, liver, and kidneys.

👉 Creatine supplementation increases the levels of phosphocreatine (PCr) in muscles, which is used by creatine kinase to regenerate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in skeletal muscle. This essentially gives your muscles and whole body more energy.

💪 Studies have long shown that creatine supplementation can be helpful for increasing muscle mass. However, there is more and more emerging research that shows it also have may benefits for improving cognitive function 🧠 (PMIDs: 39070254, 40395689). Nevertheless, much more research is needed in this area to properly access its ability to support brain function.

📊 There was some early data suggesting that creatine could harm healthy kidneys, but that has since been disproven by multiple studies. In general, it has been shown to be safe for most people to take, but you should always check with your doctor before starting it or any new supplement.

✅ The generally recommended dose is 2-5 g per day, although some studies have used 20 g per day when analyzing cognition.

🚨 As for creatine and hair loss, a recent randomized controlled trial study showed that creatine supplementation did not increase the chances of hair loss (PMID: 40265319).

📰 If you enjoy this type of health information, be sure to check out for more similar information as well as my free weekly newsletter (link in profile).

12/27/2025

We definitely could use more healthcare providers on social media educating the masses and combating some of the medical misinformation out there. Making content might be easier than you think.

😷 I encourage anyone out there who's interested in building their brand to use social media as one of the ways to do so.

12/26/2025

Comment NEWSLETTER for more similar health information, and I’ll send you a link to my free weekly newsletter 📰

🧬 Brachydactyly type D is much more common than you think and affects about 2% of the population. It is often passed down from parents to their offspring.

🚨 I generally do not recommend treatment unless there is some sort of functional issue, but there are cosmetic procedures you can do to lengthen the thumb. While they can be effective, the complications include chronic pain or failure of the bone to heal.

👉 Would you have the cosmetic procedure done?

12/26/2025

Bone density peaks at around age 30. If you don’t put stress across your bones in the form of activities like resistance training, the bones will get weaker with time. In addition, muscle mass will also decline.

💪 Resistance training is the key to preserving both of these.

👩🏻 20% of women over each 50 will develop osteoporosis (thin bone). Once you lose bone density, it’s very difficult to regain it. The weaker your bones are, the more likely they are to fracture.

💪 The best ways to help keep bones strong are as follows:

1.) Consuming calcium-rich foods (e.g. milk, yogurt, almonds) 🥛

2.) Consuming foods with vitamin D like salmon or cheese (can also get vitamin D from sunlight) 🍣

3.) Weight-bearing exercises, especially resistance training (e.g. squats) and jumping-type activities (e.g. drop jump), which help strengthen bone via Wolff’s law (states that bones become stronger over time with increased stress placed upon them) 💪

4.) Supplements (generally only needed if inadequate dietary intake): calcium / vitamin D, magnesium (which helps vitamin D work), collagen peptides (have been shown in multiple studies to help with osteoporosis). 💊
*Note: for individuals who may have cardiac issues, calcium supplementation may not be recommended.

As always, be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new supplement to see if it’s safe for you.

5.) Hormone replacement therapy (most often estrogen for post-menopausal women with osteoporosis)

6.) Medications like bisphosphonates which help slow down bone breakdown

Original video credit:

12/26/2025

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📕 If you're interested in evidence-based information on the best ways to optimize health, this is the newsletter for you.

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12/25/2025

Comment TOPICAL and I’ll send you a link to the topical CBD with the same concentration and mixture as in the research study (and which I helped to develop).

💊 Oral NSAIDs certainly be effective but do have side effects and may be contraindicated if you have stomach or kidney issues. Although there are several options for other types of topical anti-inflammatories, lately I’ve seen the best results with topical CBD (cannabidiol).

😷 However, it has always been difficult to determine what concentration to use. Recently, there was a 2022 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Hand Surgery (PMID: 35637038) that showed a concentration of 6.2 mg/mL of CBD mixed with shea butter provided 60% pain relief after 2 weeks for arthritis. It was compared with placebo, and the results were statistically significant (p < .05). No adverse events were noted.

Unfortunately, the study only involved 18 patients, so I definitely need to see more studies with larger numbers of patients and even a comparison to Voltaren gel to make any definitive conclusions. Nonetheless, this is the best data we have for now.

👉 As a result of this study, I decided to work with my cofounder to replicate the mixture used in the study. A lot of my patients were asking me for a high-quality balm, and this was my solution. So far I’ve seen good results on my patients with this mixture and even use it myself for various aches and pains. However, always check with your own doctor before starting any new topical balm. Also, some CBD products can result in a positive drug test.

🚨 All that being said, stay tuned for more research on this topic, as I know of several other physicians who are currently conducting studies on topical CBD and other topical pain relievers to determine just how well they actually work.

12/25/2025

Who can relate?

12/25/2025

Did I get these right?

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