What If Your Spine Surgery Wasn't Necessary? with Dr. Betsy Grunch (Ep 166)

In this episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by neurosurgeon and social media educator Dr. Betsy Grunch to tackle complex questions around spine health, chronic pain, and the unique challenges faced by people with hypermobility and connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS). Together, they explore why “normal” MRIs don’t always tell the whole story, when surgery is (and isn’t) the right option, and how the healthcare system sometimes overlooks the needs of patients living with invisible or misunderstood conditions. Dr. Grunch shares what she’s seeing in the OR, what she’s hearing from patients online, and how she’s trying to change the narrative, one compassionate conversation at a time. Takeaways Dr. Grunch explains how patients can feel intense pain even when imaging appears "normal"—and why that doesn't mean the pain isn’t real. Learn why people with EDS or joint instability may need a different approach—and what surgeons should know before operating. Dr. Grunch talks about the importance of timing, accurate diagnosis, and avoiding unnecessary procedures when conservative options could work. From TikTok DMs to comment sections, Dr. Grunch shares how social media is reshaping her perspective on what patients need. Through open communication and education, Dr. Grunch offers a refreshing take on how specialists can avoid bias and embrace curiosity. Find the episode transcript here. References: Ep 137: https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/signs-of-tethered-cord-you-shouldnt-ignore-with-dr-petra-klinge-ep-137/ Want more Dr. Betsy Grunch? https://www.x.com/ladyspinedoc https://www.instagram.com/ladyspinedoc https://www.facebook.com/ladyspinedoc https://www.youtube.com/@ladyspinedoc https://www.linkedin.com/in/drgrunch/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ladyspinedoc Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠[e-mail]⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices