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Joint replacement surgery replaces a damaged joint with an artificial implant to reduce pain and restore movement. It is most commonly performed on the knee, hip, and shoulder. The right procedure depends on which joint is affected, how much of it is damaged, and whether your surgeon recommends a full or partial replacement — a decision that should be made with an orthopedic surgeon based on imaging and your symptoms, not by choosing a technique on your own.

The main types of joint replacement

Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center lists total joint surgery across three areas, plus partial and robotic-assisted knee options:

A surgeon determines whether you are a candidate for a total versus partial procedure. Partial replacement is generally considered when damage is confined to a single area, while total replacement addresses more extensive joint deterioration.

Traditional vs. robotic-assisted surgery

The facility offers robotic-assisted options alongside conventional joint replacement:

• ROSA Knee — used for partial and total knee replacement
• Mako Knee — used for partial and total knee replacement
• DaVinci — listed for hernia and gallbladder surgery, not joint replacement

Robotic-assisted systems are surgical tools a surgeon uses during the procedure; they do not replace the surgeon's judgment. Whether a robotic approach is appropriate for you is a clinical decision. If this matters to you, ask your surgeon directly whether they use ROSA or Mako for your specific procedure and why.

What to consider when choosing where to have surgery

• Surgeon experience and volume — ask how often your surgeon performs your specific procedure.
• Hospital specialization — Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center describes itself as the state's leading orthopedic surgery specialty hospital and a physician-owned and operated facility.
• Recognized quality ratings — the center states it consistently ranks high for joint replacement surgery by HealthGrades, an independent health care rating company.
• Rehabilitation planning — recovery depends heavily on post-surgery physical therapy; confirm what rehab support is available before you commit.

Preparing for surgery

Preparation generally follows the same pattern as other surgeries: your care team gives you pre-operative instructions covering medications, fasting, and what to arrange for afterward. The center provides a New Patient Information section and a Joint Seminar for patients who want to learn more before scheduling. For immediate questions, the main number listed is (316) 634-0090.

Understanding cost before you commit

Cost varies by procedure, implant, and insurance coverage, so confirm your specific numbers rather than assuming. The center provides:

• A Price Transparency page
• A Self Pay Option
• Financial Planning information
• An Online Payment portal

Review these before scheduling so you know what your insurance covers and what you would owe. If you are paying without insurance, ask specifically about the self-pay option.

The bottom line

Joint replacement — knee, hip, or shoulder, total or partial — is chosen based on the extent of joint damage and your surgeon's assessment. Robotic-assisted options like ROSA and Mako are available tools, not automatic upgrades. Focus your decision on surgeon experience, the facility's orthopedic specialization and ratings, your rehab plan, and a clear picture of cost through the price transparency and self-pay resources.

Hip replacement surgery removes damaged parts of the hip joint and replaces them with artificial components, most often to relieve pain and restore movement when the joint has been worn down by arthritis or injured by a fracture. It is typically considered when pain and stiffness no longer respond well to non-surgical treatment and begin to limit walking, sleep, or daily activities. The sections below cover who it is for, how total and partial replacement differ, what happens during and after surgery, and what to ask before scheduling it.

What the surgery actually does

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint: the rounded head of the femur (thigh bone) sits in a socket in the pelvis. Hip replacement replaces one or both sides of that joint with prosthetic parts.

• The ball — the femoral head is removed and replaced with a stem and ball implant inserted into the femur.
• The socket — the worn cartilage surface of the acetabulum (pelvic socket) is reshaped and fitted with a cup liner.

The goal is a joint that moves smoothly without the bone-on-bone contact that causes arthritis pain.

When hip replacement is recommended

Surgery is usually discussed after other options have been tried or ruled out. Common reasons include:

• Osteoarthritis — the most frequent cause, where cartilage gradually wears away.
• Rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthritis — joint damage from chronic inflammation.
• Hip fracture — especially in older adults, where the blood supply to the femoral head may be disrupted.
• Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis) — bone death from interrupted blood flow.
• Other joint damage — from injury, dysplasia, or prior surgery.

Typical signs that it may be time to consider surgery: pain that persists at rest or at night, difficulty walking or climbing stairs, stiffness that limits normal movement, and little relief from medication, injections, or physical therapy.

Total vs. partial hip replacement

Surgeons choose based on how much of the joint is damaged, the patient's age and activity level, bone quality, and the underlying reason for surgery. A partial replacement is not simply a "smaller" version of a total — it addresses a different problem.

How the procedure is performed

Hip replacement is most often an inpatient procedure under anesthesia. The general steps are:

1. Anesthesia and positioning — regional or general anesthesia; the patient is positioned on their side or back.
2. Approach — the surgeon reaches the joint through an incision, using an approach chosen for the patient's anatomy and the surgeon's preference.
3. Removing damaged bone — the femoral head is removed and the socket is prepared.
4. Placing implants — the cup and the femoral stem/ball are fixed in place, sometimes with bone cement and sometimes designed to bond with bone directly.
5. Closing and checking — the incision is closed, and leg length and joint stability are checked.

Robotic-assisted approaches are also used for hip replacement. In these, the surgeon still performs the operation, but robotic guidance helps with planning implant position and placement. Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center lists robotic-assisted options including Mako for total hip, alongside its total hip surgery service. Robotic assistance is a tool within the procedure, not a different operation — the recovery and implant basics are similar.

What recovery involves

Recovery timelines vary by patient, procedure, and general health, but the general arc looks like this:

• Hospital stay — often a short inpatient stay; some patients are discharged within a day or two.
• Early movement — walking with support usually begins soon after surgery, often the same day or the next.
• First weeks — managing swelling and pain, using a walker or crutches, and following a physical therapy program.
• First months — gradual return to walking without aids, driving, and lighter daily activities.
• Longer term — most people return to routine activities over several months; high-impact activities may be limited.

Rehabilitation is a core part of the result, not an optional add-on. Following the therapy plan and movement precautions given by your surgeon affects how well and how quickly you recover.

Risks and complications

As with any surgery, there are risks. These include:

• Infection
• Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis)
• Dislocation of the new joint
• Leg-length difference
• Nerve or blood vessel injury
• Implant loosening or wear over time
• Reactions to anesthesia or medication

Your care team will discuss which risks matter most for your situation and what is done to reduce them, such as blood clot prevention and infection control measures.

Questions to ask before scheduling

• Am I a candidate for total or partial replacement, and why?
• Is robotic-assisted surgery an option for me, and what difference would it make?
• What implant type and fixation method do you recommend, and why?
• How long should I expect to stay in the hospital?
• What does the rehabilitation plan look like, and where will it take place?
• What are my risks, and how are they managed?
• What will the cost be, and what payment options are available?

Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center provides patient information, financial planning, price transparency, a self-pay option, and online payment through its patient resources, along with a contact line at (316) 634-0090 for questions.

Shoulder replacement surgery removes damaged bone and cartilage from the shoulder joint and replaces them with artificial components. It is typically considered when severe arthritis, rotator cuff damage, or other joint disease causes pain and loss of function that no longer respond to nonsurgical treatment. The type of replacement—total, partial, or reverse—depends on which parts of the joint are damaged and whether the rotator cuff is intact. Recovery involves a sling, gradual physical therapy, and several months before full function returns.

What Shoulder Replacement Surgery Treats

The procedure addresses conditions that damage the ball-and-socket structure of the shoulder:

• Severe osteoarthritis — cartilage wears away, causing bone-on-bone pain and stiffness
• Rheumatoid arthritis — inflammatory joint disease that erodes cartilage and bone
• Rotator cuff tear arthropathy — long-standing rotator cuff tears that allow the joint to collapse
• Avascular necrosis — loss of blood supply causes the ball of the shoulder to collapse
• Complex fractures — certain breaks of the upper arm bone near the joint
• Failed previous surgery — when an earlier repair no longer controls symptoms

When Surgery Is Recommended vs. Nonsurgical Options

Surgery is generally not the first step. Most surgeons recommend trying conservative treatment first:

Surgery becomes a reasonable option when pain interferes with sleep, daily activities, or quality of life despite months of nonsurgical treatment, or when imaging shows advanced joint destruction.

Types of Shoulder Replacement

The choice of procedure depends on the specific problem:

Total Shoulder Replacement (Anatomic)

Both the ball (humeral head) and socket (glenoid) are replaced with components that mimic normal anatomy. Best for patients with an intact rotator cuff and arthritis mainly affecting the joint surfaces.

Partial Shoulder Replacement (Hemiarthroplasty)

Only the ball is replaced. The socket is left intact. Used when the socket cartilage is still healthy, such as in some fractures or avascular necrosis.

Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

The ball and socket positions are switched—the ball is placed on the socket side and the socket on the arm side. This design allows the deltoid muscle to power the arm when the rotator cuff is torn or nonfunctional. It is the preferred option for rotator cuff tear arthropathy and some complex fractures.

What to Expect Before, During, and After Surgery

Before Surgery

• Medical evaluation and imaging (X-rays, sometimes CT or MRI)
• Blood tests and possibly cardiac clearance
• Instructions to stop certain medications
• Planning for home support and recovery time

During Surgery

• Usually performed under general or regional anesthesia
• Takes about 1–2 hours
• The surgeon removes damaged bone and cartilage and implants the artificial components
• May be done as an inpatient or outpatient procedure depending on the facility and patient

After Surgery

• Hospital stay: Often 1–2 days, sometimes same-day discharge
• Sling: Worn for several weeks to protect the repair
• Physical therapy: Begins soon after surgery, starting with gentle motion and progressing to strengthening
• Recovery timeline:
  • 0–6 weeks: Sling, passive motion, pain control
  • 6–12 weeks: Active motion, light activities
  • 3–6 months: Strengthening, return to many daily activities
  • 6–12 months: Full recovery for most patients

Risks and Complications to Watch For

As with any surgery, there are risks:

• Infection
• Blood clots
• Nerve or blood vessel damage
• Implant loosening or wear over time
• Dislocation (especially with reverse replacement)
• Stiffness or persistent pain
• Fracture around the implant

Contact your surgeon promptly if you notice:

• Fever or chills
• Increasing redness, warmth, or drainage from the incision
• Sudden severe pain or inability to move the arm
• Numbness or weakness in the hand or fingers
• Calf pain or swelling

Choosing a Facility

Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center is a physician-owned orthopedic specialty hospital that consistently ranks high for joint replacement surgery by HealthGrades, an independent health care rating company. The facility offers total shoulder surgery among its services and provides patient information, financial planning, and price transparency resources. For questions or to discuss whether shoulder replacement is right for you, contact your physician or the facility directly.

Knee replacement surgery replaces damaged surfaces of the knee joint with artificial components to reduce pain and restore function, and it is typically considered when joint damage from arthritis or injury no longer responds well to non-surgical treatment. The two main versions are total knee replacement, which resurfaces all three compartments of the knee, and partial knee replacement, which replaces only the worn compartment. What you should expect depends on which type you and your surgeon choose, how the procedure is performed, and how consistently you follow rehabilitation afterward.

Total vs. partial knee replacement

Both are intended to relieve pain and improve motion. The right choice is a clinical judgment based on where the damage is, your overall health, and your surgeon's assessment — not a preference you can settle on your own.

Why knee replacement is recommended

The most common driver is osteoarthritis, where cartilage wears down and bone surfaces rub together. Other reasons include inflammatory arthritis and joint damage from injury. Signs that surgery may be worth discussing:

• Persistent pain that limits walking, stairs, or sleep
• Stiffness that restricts daily activities
• Pain that has not improved enough with medication, injections, or physical therapy
• X-rays or other imaging showing significant joint damage

Pain level alone is not the deciding factor. Imaging findings, your function, and your response to other treatments all feed into the recommendation.

How the procedure is performed

Knee replacement is a surgical procedure, usually performed in a hospital or specialty surgical facility. The damaged surfaces are removed and replaced with metal and plastic components sized to your anatomy.

Technique varies. Traditional instrumentation relies on the surgeon's manual alignment and measurement. Robotic-assisted systems add a planning and guidance layer — for example, the Rosa Knee and Mako systems are used for partial and total knee procedures, alongside other robotic-assisted surgery at some facilities. Robotic assistance is a tool for precision and planning; it does not by itself guarantee a better outcome, and whether it is used depends on the surgeon and the facility.

What recovery involves

Recovery is a process measured in weeks to months, not days. A realistic outline:

1. Hospital stay and early movement. You will typically begin moving the knee soon after surgery with assistance, and pain is managed with medication.
2. Physical therapy. Structured therapy — often starting in the hospital and continuing outpatient — is central to regaining strength and range of motion. This is the part patients most often underestimate.
3. Return to daily activities. Walking and light daily tasks usually come back first; driving, work, and recreational activity return on a timeline your surgeon sets based on your progress.
4. Longer-term function. Improvement can continue for many months. Full benefit depends heavily on adherence to therapy.

Common sticking points: expecting to skip or shorten therapy, comparing your timeline to someone else's, and pushing activity faster than your surgeon advises.

How to prepare and what to ask

Preparation covers the practical as well as the medical:

• Arrange help at home for the first days or weeks
• Plan for transportation, since you will not be able to drive immediately
• Set up your living space to reduce stairs and tripping hazards
• Follow your surgeon's instructions on medications, fasting, and stopping certain drugs before surgery
• Ask about financial planning and payment options in advance

Questions worth asking your surgeon:

• Is total or partial replacement the better fit for my knee, and why?
• Will you use traditional or robotic-assisted technique, and how does that change my plan?
• What is your typical recovery timeline, and what milestones should I expect?
• How many of these procedures do you perform, and what outcomes do you see?
• What are the risks and possible complications for my situation?
• What will physical therapy look like, and for how long?

Facilities that specialize in joint replacement, such as Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center, a physician-owned orthopedic specialty hospital that states it consistently ranks high for joint replacement surgery by HealthGrades, typically publish new-patient information, joint seminar schedules, financial planning, price transparency, and self-pay options. Checking those pages before your consultation gives you concrete questions to bring to the surgeon.

Surgery is a medical procedure that involves physically altering body tissue to diagnose, treat, or prevent a condition. Preparation depends on whether the procedure is planned or emergency, and on the type of surgery — for example, joint replacement requires different prep than hernia repair. At a specialty hospital such as Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center (KSRC), a physician-owned facility in Kansas focused on orthopedic surgery, preparation typically includes a pre-op evaluation, instructions on fasting and medication, and arrangements for recovery support.

Types of Surgery

Surgeries are commonly grouped by urgency and by the body system involved.

By urgency:

• Elective surgery — scheduled in advance because it is necessary but not time-critical. Total knee, hip, and shoulder replacements are typical examples.
• Emergency surgery — performed immediately to address a life- or limb-threatening condition.

By specialty or approach:

• Orthopedic surgery — focuses on bones, joints, and connective tissue. KSRC lists total joint surgery for knee, hip, and shoulder.
• Robotic-assisted surgery — uses a robotic system controlled by the surgeon to improve precision. KSRC names the DaVinci system for hernia and gallbladder surgery, and the Rosa Knee and Mako Knee systems for partial and total knee replacement, plus total hip procedures.
• Breast care surgery — also listed among KSRC's services.

How to Prepare for Surgery

Preparation generally follows the same broad steps whether you are having a joint replacement or another planned procedure.

1. Complete a pre-operative evaluation. Your surgeon or hospital will assess your overall health, review medications, and may order blood tests or imaging. KSRC provides new patient information to guide this stage.
2. Follow fasting instructions. You will typically be told not to eat or drink for a set period before surgery. Exact timing comes from your care team.
3. Review medications and supplements. Some drugs — including blood thinners — may need to be paused. Only your prescribing clinician should make that call.
4. Arrange transportation and recovery support. You will not be able to drive yourself home, and you may need help for several days.
5. Plan for accommodations if traveling. KSRC lists accommodations among its patient resources, which is useful if you are coming from outside the immediate area.
6. Understand the financial side. KSRC offers a price transparency page, a self-pay option, financial planning resources, and online payment. Reviewing these before your date helps avoid surprises.

What Recovery Looks Like

Recovery varies by procedure, but joint replacement patients often begin guided movement soon after surgery and follow a structured rehabilitation plan. KSRC describes itself as a recovery center and ranks highly for joint replacement surgery by HealthGrades, an independent health care rating company. That ranking is one signal to weigh when choosing where to have surgery — along with the surgeon's experience, the facility's procedure volume, and whether the equipment and approach match your needs.

Choosing a Surgical Facility

When comparing options, use the same criteria across providers:

KSRC states it is the state's leading orthopedic surgery specialty hospital and is physician-owned and operated. For questions, its main number is (316) 634-0090, and it offers a contact form and patient portal access.