Has knee or hip pain reduced the quality of your life? Everyday activities such as walking, shopping or housework can become difficult or unbearable. Taking part in favored hobbies such as golf or bowling may be a thing of the past because conservative measures such as diet, exercise and medication no longer provide relief or alleviate your pain. If this is you, it may be time to consider joint replacement.

At Labette Health, we have created a special program that teams the area’s leading group of orthopedic specialists with caring and highly trained nurses, therapists and technicians. Our team has one goal – providing seamless, coordinated care that gets you back to your favorite activities as soon as possible.

We’ve created a special area just for the care of our knee and hip replacement patients. No hospital gowns for this crowd – you get to wear your own clothes! And family members are encouraged to participate in group activities, meals and other special events. Exercise and therapy are also provided in a group setting, so our patients can support and encourage each other on the road to recovery. New friendships are made, enhancing the healing process.

We believe the key to better outcomes is a commitment to superior education for you and your family. Knowing what to expect every step of the way goes a long way to reducing stress and anxiety and preparing you for as smooth a recovery as possible. You’ll attend an informative pre-op class for patients, their families and anyone else who might serve as a "coach." You also will learn physical therapy exercises and how to use assistive devices; take care of lab work, histories and physical exams; and hear from others who share the same experiences. A patient guidebook and daily newsletters while you’re in the hospital will tell you what to expect every step of the way.

Many patients are on their feet hours after their surgeries and are able to return to normal activities within a few weeks.

Are you a candidate for hip or knee replacement?

Here are some signs and symptoms to help you answer that question.

• Joint pain or stiffness that does not improve over time.
• Decreased quality of life as a result of joint pain or limited range of motion.
• Difficulty getting dressed, including tying shoes.
• Joint pain that is not relieved with medication.
• Increased difficulty walking long distances or climbing stairs.
• Increased joint swelling.
• A recent fall or traumatic event.
• Increased stiffness when standing from a seated position.
• Joint seems unstable or prone to give way during specific movements
• Previous joint surgery of any kind
• You need to use a walker, cane or crutches to get around.
• It has become difficult to reach for things stored in high cabinets.

William Dillon, M.D., Kevin Mosier, M.D., and Brad Meister, M.D., perform total and partial joint replacements at Labette Health.

Our staff has been hand-picked for their positive attitudes, motivational skills and their desire to provide outstanding service. In addition, they have been specially trained to provide comprehensive clinical care for patients undergoing this important procedure.

We're With You Every Step of the Way!

We host frequent seminars on the most common causes of knee or hip pain, as well as the latest treatment options. You’ll learn about the top things you can do for arthritis as well as information on the newest medications and diet and exercise tips. Just give us a call at 620-820-5465 for the time and location of our next seminar.