More than a major surgical procedure, a total joint replacement is a long-term investment in your health and wellness. When completed successfully, joint replacement can help those with severe pain and osteoarthritis once again enjoy their lives to the fullest.
But a total joint replacement is also invasive and comes with a number of associated costs and risks. This makes finding the right provider crucial for ensuring the best possible outcome. When choosing a surgeon for a total joint replacement in Kansas City, you should consider a range of different factors to ensure the highest quality result. Some factors you may look at include years of experience, the number of procedures performed, the surgeon’s credentials, and more.
The decision to have a total joint replacement is ultimately in the hands of the patient, and they will decide which factors are most important to them. But for those who determine that a total joint replacement is best for their needs, Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance can provide an unrivaled level of care.
Read on to learn more about why KCOA is the premier destination in the Midwest for total joint replacements.
What is a Total Joint Replacement?
In terms of a dictionary definition, a total joint replacement is when a surgeon removes a damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial one—generally made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. In most cases, a joint replacement procedure involves replacing the entire joint, but some joints may only require partial replacement. The most common areas of the body that need a joint replacement include:
The goal of a total joint replacement in Kansas City is to help patients restore full range of motion in their joints and move freely without pain. Ideally, a total joint replacement will allow patients to enjoy their daily activities with no limitations. By greatly reducing or eliminating pain and stiffness, patients should enjoy a higher quality of life due to an increasingly active lifestyle.
Do I Need a Total Joint Replacement?
The decision to receive a total joint replacement is one that is ultimately up to the individual.
Patients will collaborate with their providers and family during the decision process, but the final call ultimately belongs to them. Generally, a total joint replacement in Kansas City is the last resort when all conservative and non-invasive options have been exhausted.
The important thing to remember is that a total joint replacement is an invasive procedure that will require significant downtime once completed. If a patient chooses to receive a total joint replacement, their surgeon will provide them with a complete set of pre-and post-operative instructions to follow to ensure an optimal outcome.
Patients who are generally best suited for a total joint replacement are those with particularly advanced joint injuries. In some cases, this may mean that an injury has progressed to the point where a patient can no longer perform their daily activities without significant hindrance. Other people may receive a total joint replacement once their joint no longer responds to non-invasive treatments.
The best way to know for sure if this procedure is right for you is to visit with a KCOA provider for a complete evaluation. While you’re there, you’ll discover why Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance is the premier destination in the Midwest for total joint replacement procedures.
Why KCOA is a Leader in Total Joint Replacement
With 5 orthopedic clinics across the Kansas City metro, KCOA has positioned itself as a leader in total joint replacements not only within the area, but throughout the entire Midwest. As a merger of 3 of Kansas City’s most trusted orthopedic clinics, we offer the unique distinction of having 140 years of combined experience between our clinics.
With this experience comes a number of accolades. As of 2022, KCOA has performed the highest number of total joint replacements among independent groups in Kansas City. Many of our surgeons have also garnered recognition over the years due to their ability to provide excellent outcomes for hundreds of patients.
Part of what makes our care so effective is that our amazing providers have access to the most advanced technology available. The key to a great outcome with any total joint replacement in Kansas City lies in an accurate diagnosis.
Utilizing in-house testing, KCOA providers can correctly identify the underlying source of a person’s specific musculoskeletal issues. This higher rate of accuracy using diagnostic imaging allows for more successful, customized treatment plans that lead to better long-term results.
Finally, our providers can perform every total joint replacement in-house at one of our five locations across Kansas City. Instead of bouncing back and forth between different clinics, patients can receive all treatments and consultations within one place. KCOA not only offers better treatment outcomes, but we also make the entire process more convenient for our patients.
Our Total Joint Replacement Capabilities
In addition to offering the highest quality and highest quantity of total joint replacements in Kansas City, KCOA also offers a number of unique capabilities associated with these procedures. This includes the ability to provide robotic-assisted replacements of the knee and hip, as well as the highest number of prostheses options available.
Robotic-Assisted Procedures
A robotic-assisted total joint replacement involves using advanced technology to enhance the accuracy and placement of the prosthetic in the joint.
Your surgeon will control the technology throughout the entire procedure, but the robotic assistance helps guide them. This ideally creates a more favorable long-term outcome.
The technology used for robotic-assisted procedures offers a number of advantages outside of accuracy and placement as well. It also helps ensure an optimal fit for the prosthesis and helps to decrease bone loss. As of now, robotic-assisted total joint replacement is exclusively used for the knees and hips. But the technology used continues to expand and evolve to the point where our surgeons plan to offer additional robotic-assisted procedures in the future.
KCOA not only performs robotic-assisted procedures, but we’re a leader in the practice as well. To date, we’ve performed more than 1,000 robotic-assisted knee and hip replacements for patients. We’re proud to say that we have the greatest capability to perform robotic-assisted procedures of any independent orthopedic group in the area.
Prosthetic Implants
All joint replacement procedures involve the surgeon removing parts of an affected joint and replacing them with a prosthetic implant. As we mentioned, the prostheses used during the procedure can be made from metal, ceramic, or plastic.
The idea of an artificial prosthesis is to mimic the body’s natural design. When inserted into the body, the prosthetic implant mimics the normal range of motion in the area—allowing for easier movement with significantly reduced (or eliminated) pain.
The quality of the prostheses we use at KCOA is another point of pride for our staff. For those seeking a total joint replacement in Kansas City, they can rest assured that their prosthetic implant will last for many years. When combined with a highly trained orthopedic surgeon, patients can expect years of pain-free living following their surgery and recovery process.
The patient and their provider will make a collaborative decision on the type of material used for their prostheses—along with its geometric shape. Both will depend on the individual needs, challenges, and lifestyle goals of the patient.
I’m Interested in a Total Joint Replacement. What Should I Do?
If you’ve reached a point of severe pain or limited mobility, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a specialist at KCOA! There, we’ll perform an initial consultation to get a better understanding of your current situation before running diagnostic tests. If you’re a good candidate for a total joint replacement in Kansas City, we’ll schedule a date for your procedure and provide you with education on how to prepare.
Remember, surgical procedures are both invasive and more costly than conservative treatments. They also carry an additional risk of complications. We highly recommend you talk through the decision with both your provider and any family members or loved ones.
If you determine that a total joint replacement best suits your needs, you can be certain that our providers will do everything possible to ensure the best possible outcome.
Have Questions About Total Joint Replacement in Kansas City? Contact KCOA Today!
At Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance, we’re dedicated to creating a superior patient experience for all. If you’re considering a total joint replacement, our team will work with you to ensure the best possible outcomes. We’ve helped thousands of people across Kansas City treat their pain, restore their joint function, and increase their quality of life.
Scheduling an appointment with one of our providers allows us to find the best treatment option for your needs. Using the highest quality technology, we can pinpoint the exact underlying issue causing your joint pain or discomfort.
For a thorough evaluation, call us at (913) 319-7600 or schedule an appointment today. You can also use our symptom tracker tool if you’re struggling with pain and looking for proper treatment recommendations.
