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.