After receiving life-saving surgical care at Hannibal Regional Hospital, Robert Howland of Clarksville, Missouri, felt confident he had found a healthcare team he could trust. That trust gave him the motivation to finally address a problem he had been living with for nearly 15 years, chronic hip pain.

Encouraged by his positive experience at Hannibal Regional, Robert met with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kory Blank to explore treatment options. Following a thorough evaluation, Dr. Blank recommended hip replacement surgery to restore mobility and relieve the pain that had been limiting Robert’s daily life. Robert decided to move forward with the procedure and underwent his first hip replacement in October 2025. Just two months later, he returned for a second hip replacement in December.

Once again, the care he received exceeded his expectations. Robert says he was especially impressed by how seamlessly the care team worked together during his hospital stay. “When I asked for pain medicine, or even mentioned I was a little hungry, someone was there within about 15 minutes,” Robert shared. “That level of teamwork and attentiveness made all the difference.”

Although he expected the recovery process to be difficult, Robert says the pain following his surgeries was far less than anticipated. Just one month after his second hip replacement, he had already progressed to walking with a cane. Now on the road to recovery, Robert is looking forward to returning to activities he once enjoyed without the constant burden of pain.

For him, the experience reaffirmed the high level of care available close to home. “The care I received here has been outstanding,” he said. “From the surgeons to the nurses and everyone in between, the team at Hannibal Regional truly cares about their patients.” Robert’s story is a powerful reminder that advanced orthopedic care and life-changing results are available right here in Northeast Missouri.

For more information about orthopedic services at Hannibal Regional, please call 573-629-3500 to schedule a consultation.