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Orthopedic doctor near me
Doctor Aaron Rupp, D.O., is one of the skilled orthopedic doctors near you in Warrensburg, MO, at Western Missouri Medical Center.
Get to know a little more about Dr. Rupp with his answers to some frequently asked questions, or contact WMMC to learn more about all of our orthopedic doctors near you!
Questions answered by Dr. Rupp
How will I know if I qualify for orthopedic surgery?
To know if you need orthopedic surgery, Dr. Rupp recommends visiting a qualified orthopedic doctor near you, like the orthopedic team at WMMC. That way, your doctor can determine the cause of your problems and move forward with a treatment plan. Some insurance companies, like Tricare, require you to be referred from a family medicine or internal medicine doctor before your initial visit.
Dr. Rupp: “Your orthopedic surgeon will discuss both nonoperative and operative treatment options, along with the risks and benefits of both depending on the issue at hand.”
What should I bring to an appointment with an orthopedic doctor near me?
In your first appointment with Western Missouri Bone and Joint, Dr. Rupp recommends bringing any reports or imaging you have of the afflicted area or any old records related to the surgery or injury area.
Dr. Rupp: “We need any prior imaging (i.e. x-rays, MRIs, CTs) reports and the actual images. We also need reports of any prior operations/surgeries related to your condition.”
What are the most common procedures you perform?
The orthopedic doctors at WMMC are adept at performing a variety of procedures. Some procedures we offer include:
- Total hip, knee, and shoulder replacement
- Partial knee replacement
- Ligament reconstruction of the knee, including ACL reconstruction
- Meniscus repair and meniscectomy (removal of damaged knee cartilage)
- Minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery of the hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, and ankle (scopes)
- Fractures
- Arthritis
- Sports-related injuries
- Rotator cuff and shoulder instability
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Joint, ligament, tendon, and cartilage injury
- Nerve and tendon problems
- Masses and growths
- And more!
Of these procedures, Dr. Rupp says the most common orthopedic surgeries he performs on our patients in Warrensburg, MO are:
- Knee and shoulder arthroscopy (scopes)
- Hip, knee, and shoulder replacement
- Carpal tunnel and trigger finger release
- Fracture (broken bone) fixation
After surgery is completed, what is the average recovery process like?
Dr. Rupp: “Recovery varies depending on the surgery performed. Simple surgeries typically require a 2-week recovery. Joint replacements recover around 3 months. Some ACL reconstructions and rotator cuff repairs can extend up to 9 months.”
Just like individual patients, every surgery is a little different. The only way to be sure you’re receiving the best treatment is to visit a trusted orthopedic doctor near you, like Dr. Rupp and the rest of the orthopedic team at WMMC.
What are the best ways to prevent additional orthopedic issues after surgery?
The last thing anyone wants after surgery is further pain due to re-aggravating or re-injuring the repaired area. Dr. Rupp recommends a few different strategies for keeping your body and joints healthy.
- Following your surgeon’s and physical therapist’s recommendations and restrictions
- Adapting to a healthy anti-inflammatory diet and exercise program
- Weight loss, which has a remarkably positive effect on joint pain and overall pain relief
If you are re-injured or suffering from new aches and pains, you can trust the orthopedic doctors near you at WMMC to get you back to your normal activities as soon as possible.
How much education and training is required to become an orthopedic surgeon?
Dr. Rupp: “Four years of undergraduate education, four years of medical school, five years of orthopedic residency. Also an optional one year of fellowship training in a variety of sub-specialty training.”
Dr. Rupp received his medical degree from the Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences and did his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs, MO. Dr. Rupp also further studied Sports Medicine-Orthopedic Surgery in a fellowship with the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, AL.
How can I tell if I’m being treated by the best orthopedic doctors near me?
When searching for the best orthopedic care in your area, Dr. Rupp recommends looking for doctors who are board-certified orthopedic surgeons, as well as ones who are fellowship trained and certified.
Dr. Rupp: “Being Fellowship-trained/certified means your surgeon underwent 1-2 years of additional training after the 5-year orthopedic residency training.”
Dr. Rupp completed his fellowship training in Sports Medicine-Orthopedic Surgery at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, AL.
What do you enjoy most about working at WMMC?
Dr. Rupp: “I love the small, rural community and the hard-working people that live here. It’s extremely rewarding to help patients return to a pain-free, active lifestyle.”
Get to know all the wonderful doctors at Western Missouri Medical Center
No matter what your medical needs, WMMC has you covered with the best doctors in the Warrensburg area. We are a fully accredited acute care facility right in your backyard.
As a not-for-profit county medical center, we offer comprehensive health care services to residents of Johnson County and west central Missouri. We are proud to provide quality healthcare to our patients. It’s at the heart of what we do.
Let us be your trusted healthcare provider. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and see how WMMC goes above and beyond for all of our patients in Warrensburg and west central Missouri.