Back to an Active Life thanks to Local Orthopedic Care

For Danny Kuhn of Licking, Missouri, staying active has always been a way of life.

After spending 30 years maintaining heating and cooling systems at Fort Leonard Wood and a lifetime working in construction, slowing down wasn’t something in Danny’s nature as he entered retirement. But years of knee pain were making everyday activities increasingly difficult.

“Every morning when my feet hit the floor, my knees hurt,” Kuhn recalled. “And I dealt with it all day.”

Kuhn’s journey with Ozarks Healthcare Orthopedics and Spine began when he sought care from orthopedic surgeon Dr. Caleb Piatt for carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. The procedures were successful, and the positive experience left a lasting impression.

“Everything worked great,” Kuhn said. “After that, I was pretty confident that things would go well with my knees, too.”

As his knee pain worsened, Kuhn returned to Dr. Piatt to explore his options. After reviewing X-rays and discussing treatment plans, they determined that knee replacements would offer the best path forward. His first knee replacement was completed in November, followed by the second in March.

Today, Kuhn says he is doing remarkably well.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “Dr. Piatt explained everything thoroughly. I had no doubts that things would go right.”

Recovery progressed quickly. Within weeks, Kuhn was back to many of the activities he enjoys, including outdoor projects, odd jobs, kayaking, and spending time with family. His wife occasionally had to remind him not to overdo it.

“She’d tell me, ‘You need to be sitting down,’” Kuhn said with a laugh. “But I was able to get around and do things much sooner than I expected.”

Beyond the surgical outcomes, Kuhn said what stood out most was the compassion shown by Dr. Piatt and the entire care team.

“Everyone went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable and had what I needed,” he said. “The nurses were outstanding.”

One moment in particular left a lasting impact.

“Dr. Piatt was the first doctor who ever prayed with me,” Kuhn said. “It meant the world to me that he took the time to do that.”

Kuhn encourages others not to ignore chronic joint pain or assume it is simply part of getting older.

“My knee pain is gone, and the recovery wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected,” he said. “Looking back, I wish I had done it sooner.”

Now enjoying retirement and an active lifestyle once again, Kuhn has become a strong advocate for Dr. Piatt and Ozarks Healthcare Orthopedics and Spine.

“If you’re looking for someone who can do the job, takes care of you, and truly cares about you,” Kuhn said, “this is the guy to go to.”

For Kuhn, the ability to stay active, spend time outdoors, and keep up with daily life without constant knee pain has made all the difference, and he credits Dr. Piatt and his care team for helping him get there.