Story by Jeanie Edgmon

The Garage that Built a Surgeon

Long before he became Dr. Terry Presley, a fellowship-trained specialist in robotic hip and knee reconstruction, and a leading figure in robotic-assisted joint replacement in the Kansas City area, Terry was the youngest of three brothers growing up in Winfield, Missouri. His middle brother developed spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy after a bout of meningitis at just three months old.

“Witnessing my brother’s perseverance despite his disability is what sparked my interest in the medical field,” – Dr. Presley

Their father, a classic car enthusiast, invited all three boys into the garage, teaching them to rebuild engines and restore vintage vehicles. “It was something we could all do together,” Presley recalls. “We’d sit in the garage for hours, turning something broken into something functional and beautiful.”

That experience would become the metaphor for Dr. Presley’s life’s work. “From restoring classic cars at a very young age to restoring people and giving them their quality of life back, I was raised for this,” he says.

Today, when Dr. Terry Presley steps into the operating room, he brings with him more than years of training and the latest surgical technology. He carries a philosophy forged in the family garage, where, as a child, he learned the art of restoration—not just of old cars, but of hope, resilience, and possibility. Today, as one of the Midwest’s leading orthopedic surgeons and a pioneer in robotic hip and knee replacement, Dr. Presley is transforming the lives of patients who thought their best days were behind them.

“The best technology means nothing if you don’t listen to your patients,” he says. “I want every person who walks into my office to feel heard, understood, and empowered.”  – Dr. Presley

Discovering a Calling

By high school, Presley’s path was clear: he would combine his empathy for those with physical challenges and his love for building and fixing things into a career in medicine. He attended the University of Missouri, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Psychology, then went on to Kansas City University, where he earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. The road was not easy, and he especially acknowledges the incredible and supportive role his family played in his journey. If there was ever a moment of doubt, his family reminded him of his mission.

“I am fortunate that my parents, wife, and extended family were so supportive and played an active role in getting me through that intensive time.”

A pivotal moment came during his first year of medical school, when he participated in an “early clinical care practicum.” Scrubbing in for a total hip replacement, Presley was struck by the magnitude of what was happening. “I was the first assist as a first-year medical student, and I felt like I was a part of something extremely important—all to give this patient her life back and free her of her chronic hip pain,” he recalls. “That was the moment I knew: this is what I was meant to do.”

Training with the Best

Presley’s orthopedic training took him to Chicago, where he completed his residency at Midwestern University. There, he rotated through some of the city’s busiest hospitals, gaining experience in everything from pediatric orthopedics at Lurie Children’s Hospital to trauma at Cook County Medical Center. He credits this diverse training with shaping his comprehensive approach to patient care.

His passion for adult reconstruction led him to a fellowship in Adult Hip and Knee Reconstruction at the University of Louisville. “I truly enjoyed the reconstructive art of revision arthroplasty and providing the patient with an enhanced quality of life,” he says. “Many of these patients came in with a smile on their face and would say things like, ‘the doctor gave me my life back.’ That’s what sealed my decision to focus on adult reconstruction.”

Bringing Robotics to Kansas City

When Dr. Presley returned to Missouri, he brought with him a vision for the future of joint replacement—one that included robotics. “Robotics is a game-changer,” he explains. “It allows me to plan every move with precision and tailor each surgery to the patient’s unique anatomy. The result? Less pain, quicker recovery, and better outcomes.”

He became one of the first surgeons to perform robotic hip and knee replacements at several major hospitals in Kansas City. “Robotic-assisted surgery utilizes a 3D reconstruction image of the patient’s anatomy, allowing the surgeon to plan and execute implant placement with incredible precision—down to less than 1mm,” he says. “Unlike traditional methods that use generic cutting guides, robotics tailors the procedure to each patient’s unique bony and soft tissue anatomy.”

The impact has been profound. Patients who once faced long recoveries and uncertain results are now returning to their lives faster and with greater confidence. “The robot is a tool, but it’s the data-driven planning and intraoperative feedback that elevate the quality of care,” Presley says.

More Than a Technician: The Human Side of Surgery

Despite his technical expertise, Dr. Presley is quick to point out that surgery is about more than machines and measurements. “The best technology means nothing if you don’t listen to your patients,” he says. “I want every person who walks into my office to feel heard, understood, and empowered.”

That philosophy extends to his use of rapid recovery protocols, which focus on minimizing pain and maximizing mobility. “We use multimodal pain management, early mobilization, and personalized education to help most patients return home safely the same day as surgery,” he explains.

Based on Dr. Presley’s five-star reviews from patients calling him things like “the Patrick Mahomes of orthopedic surgery” to “the Elvis Presley of knee surgery”, it would appear his approach is effective. “One of the best parts of my job is spending time with my patients,” said Presley. “It brings me so much joy to hear how they are back to enjoying the things they love to do, pain free.”

Teaching, Research, and Paying It Forward

Dr. Presley’s commitment to excellence doesn’t stop at the operating room door. As an Associate Professor of Orthopedics at Kansas City University, he mentors the next generation of surgeons, sharing his passion for innovation and patient-centered care.

For more information about Terry Presley, DO or Orthopedic Surgeons, Inc. please call (816) 459-7500 or visit: doctorpresley.com or kcorthopedics.com