Linda Lujan is a busy woman. As President of Lamar Community College, she has a demanding job that she loves. And as a grandmother, she enjoys spending active time with her grandkids. So in 2020, when the osteoarthritis in her left hip got worse, preventing her from living her life to the fullest, she began to research hip-replacement surgery.

“What I learned was that we have an excellent orthopedics program right here at Prowers Medical Center,” Lujan said. “The visiting surgeon, Dr. Carr, is well-trained and experienced. He is well-reviewed by patients, too. Dan Klepacz, the orthopedic physician assistant, is here full-time. And the pre-op, post-op and physical therapy components are all great here, too. I was so impressed.”

Dr. Ryan Carr is dual fellowship-trained in shoulder, hip and knee surgeries, and he’s onsite at Prowers Medical Center every other Monday. He meets with patients, develops treatment plans and performs surgeries.

Orthopedic Services

For more information on orthopedic care at Prowers Medical Center or to schedule an appointment, call 719-336-6767 or go to prowersmedical.com/services/orthopedics.

Dr. Carr performed Lujan’s left hip replacement surgery at Prowers Medical Center in December 2020. “It went so well,” said Lujan. “I spent a couple of nights at the hospital then did all my follow-up checks and physical therapy at Prowers Medical Center. Dr. Carr uses an anterior approach, which means the incision is small and healing is faster. And having all the care locally is so convenient.”

In addition to hip replacements, Dr. Carr also does knee replacements, shoulder surgeries, fracture management and orthopedic consultations. He received his medical degree from Chicago Medical School and completed his surgical residency in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Illinois. His first fellowship was in shoulder care, followed by a traveling fellowship in advanced techniques in shoulder surgery. His second fellowship was in adult reconstruction of the hip and knee.

When he’s not in Lamar, Dr. Carr practices in the Denver area. You can read more about him and his Colorado Shoulder, Hip & Knee Institute at ryancarrmd.com.

Most days, it’s Klepacz holding down the orthopedic fort at Prowers Medical Center. He sees patients Monday through Friday for routine care, including evaluations, medication management, non-surgical treatment plans, pre-op visits, post-op visits, joint injections and more. When Dr. Carr is in town, Klepacz also assists him in surgery and checks on patients in the hospital.

“Most commonly, patients come to us with knee, hip or shoulder pain,” Klepacz said. “Surgery is not the first choice. We start with the least invasive treatments, such as physical therapy and joint injections, and go from there.”

Dr. Carr agrees that conservative management is the right first step.

“Before considering surgery, we first move through all the other options,” he said. “The goal is to get patients back to the levels of activity they enjoyed before their condition or injury, and that can often be done without surgery.”

Before becoming an orthopedic PA, Klepacz worked in family medicine and urgent care. One thing he loves about his role is that he gets to help people feel better quickly. “I can rehab, repair or replace,” he said. “I like being able to make a difference.”

Klepacz says that Lamar-area residents are often surprised—as Lujan was—to find out that they don’t have to travel to Colorado Springs or Denver for most orthopedic care. “New patients often say to me, ‘I didn’t realize you were here.’ This program is a big benefit to the local community.”

When Lujan’s husband, now deceased, had knee-replacement surgery in Denver some years back, “it was such a hassle,” she said. “So far from home, such a long drive, having to go back for multiple appointments. I can’t say enough about how great it is to have Dr. Carr, Dan and all the orthopedic services we need right here in Lamar.”

In fact, Lujan just had her right hip replaced by Dr. Carr at Prowers Medical Center and is recovering quickly. “I’m feeling great,” she said. “It’s coming along nicely.”

LOOK: Linda Lujan is enjoying family time, and attending graduation at Lamar Community College, after her surgery.