Frequently Asked Questions

Call the office directly at (816) 995-0204 during office hours (Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM), or fill out the appointment request form on our website. A team member will confirm your appointment and walk you through next steps.

Please bring your actual X-ray images on disk, not just a report. X-rays are critical to Dr. Harlan's evaluation and typically tell most of the story. If you have MRI or CT imaging, bring those as well.

If you don't have recent imaging, no problem: the team will send in an order for X-rays before your appointment.

Your initial consultation is scheduled for 20 minutes, but Dr. Harlan has been known to spend 40–60 minutes if your case warrants it. That time is with Dr. Harlan directly, not a PA or nurse practitioner. He conducts the full history and physical exam himself.

You will always see Dr. Harlan. This is a single-physician boutique practice: there are no physician assistants or nurse practitioners seeing patients on his behalf. Every appointment, every time, you see Dr. Harlan.

Dr. Harlan covers his patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you have an urgent concern outside of office hours, call the office at (816) 995-0204 and you will be directed appropriately. It will still be Dr. Harlan directing your care.

Yes. X-ray images of the affected joint are essential for your initial consultation. Please bring the actual images on disk, not just a written report. If you haven't had recent X-rays, the office will send in an order so you can get them done before your visit.

Call the office at (816) 995-0204 and let us know. The team will resolve it right away and make sure the order gets to the right place before your appointment.

Yes, if you have them. Please bring any MRI, CT, or other imaging related to the area being evaluated. For returning patients, if you've had any new imaging in the past couple of months, bring that to your follow-up appointment as well.

Absolutely. We strongly encourage out-of-town patients to send imaging and prior records ahead of the visit. Dr. Harlan reviews everything before you arrive, so your appointment is a real consultation from the moment you sit down, not an intake session. Contact the office to coordinate.

Insurance accepted varies. Call the office at (816) 995-0204 and a team member can verify your coverage before your appointment. Please have your insurance card handy when you call.

Yes. Before your surgery, a team member will run your eligibility and benefits with your insurance company and send you a cost estimate through your OnPatient account so you know what to expect.

You can pay online through your OnPatient account. That's Dr. Harlan's patient portal. If you don't have an account yet, the team can send you an invitation link. You can also pay through the practice website or by calling the office.

Yes, Dr. Harlan performs independent medical evaluations. For questions about scheduling an IME, call the office at (816) 995-0204 and a team member will assist you.

Dr. Harlan performs surgeries at several outpatient surgery centers around Kansas City. When your surgery is scheduled, a team member will work with you to identify the most convenient and appropriate location for your procedure.

Dr. Harlan uses a Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block combined with general anesthesia. This approach provides excellent pain control: most patients report taking only a few pain pills after surgery, and many take none at all.

The procedure itself typically takes around 90 minutes, with roughly 30 additional minutes for positioning and transport. Plan to be at the surgery center for a few hours in total, including pre-op prep and post-op recovery before you're cleared to go home.

Yes. Call the office at (816) 995-0204 and a team member will connect you with our surgery scheduler to get everything arranged.

Recovery is divided into three four-week phases. Most patients are weight-bearing immediately after surgery and wean off crutches within 3–5 days. By the two-week post-op visit, nearly every patient walks in without crutches. Athletes are typically cleared for sport-specific activities at the start of month three or four.

Physical therapy begins within the first few days after surgery. Dr. Harlan will prescribe a structured PT plan and coordinate with your therapist throughout your recovery to make sure you're progressing on schedule.

Some discomfort after surgery is normal and different from your pre-surgery pain. If you're experiencing significant pain or have concerns about your recovery, call the office at (816) 995-0204. If you're having a pain level of 8 or above, or suspect a complication, call immediately and the team will prioritize your call. Dr. Harlan is available around the clock.

Post-operative instructions for knee and shoulder arthroscopy are available to download on the Sports Medicine page. For hip arthroscopy post-op instructions, the team will provide these directly at the time of your surgery.

To request your medical records, you'll need to sign a medical release form. Call the office at (816) 995-0204 and a team member will walk you through the process and make sure your records are handled properly.

OnPatient is Dr. Harlan's patient portal. You can use it to schedule appointments, pay bills, view documents, and message the team online. If you don't have an account yet, contact the office and a team member will send you an invitation link.

The office handles FMLA and disability paperwork requests. Call (816) 995-0204 and a team member will take your information and get the appropriate forms processed.

The office is located at 5901 NW 63rd Terrace, Suite 120, Kansas City, MO 64151, in the Denton Building, first floor. Dr. Harlan's name is visible above the glass door from the parking lot, making it easy to find.

The office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The office is closed Friday through Sunday, though Dr. Harlan remains available for urgent patient needs around the clock.

The office is approximately 15 minutes south of Kansas City International Airport (MCI), making it highly accessible for patients traveling from out of town. The team is happy to recommend nearby hotels for patients and their families.