Find the Most Experienced Surgeons

Name: U.S. Orthopedic Surgeon Rankings by Medicare Procedure Volume (2023)
Creator: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Verified by Medicare Data

Hip, knee & shoulder specialists ranked by Medicare procedure volume

8,293 surgeons • Latest Medicare data • Updated April 2026

Why Volume Matters Medicare Cost Guide

Anatomical illustrations of hip, knee, and shoulder joints side by side

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Hip Replacement

Find top hip replacement surgeons ranked by procedure volume and verified Medicare data

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Knee Replacement

Discover knee replacement specialists with the highest Medicare procedure volumes

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Shoulder Replacement

Find experienced shoulder replacement surgeons based on verified Medicare data

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National Rankings

See America's top 100, 250 & 500 orthopedic surgeons ranked by procedure volume

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How We Rank Surgeons

OrthoProcedures ranks orthopedic surgeons using publicly available Medicare claims data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Our approach is transparent, reproducible, and free from hospital or physician sponsorship.

CMS Data Collection

We source data from the CMS Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data, which reports every procedure billed to Medicare Part B by individual physicians. This covers approximately 33-37% of all joint replacements performed in the United States each year.

Surgeon Identification

Each surgeon is identified by their unique National Provider Identifier (NPI). We filter for orthopedic surgeons (taxonomy code 207X00000X) who performed total hip arthroplasty (CPT 27447), total knee arthroplasty (CPT 27130), or total shoulder arthroplasty (CPT 23472) during the reporting period.

Volume-Based Ranking

Surgeons are ranked by total procedure volume (Total Services) within each state and procedure type. Research consistently shows that surgeons who perform a higher volume of joint replacements achieve better patient outcomes, lower complication rates, and shorter hospital stays.

Why Procedure Volume Matters

Peer-reviewed studies published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Lancet, and JAMA consistently demonstrate a strong correlation between surgeon procedure volume and patient outcomes. High-volume surgeons (100+ procedures per year) have been associated with up to 50% lower complication rates, fewer revision surgeries, shorter operative times, and reduced hospital readmission rates.

While volume is not the only factor in choosing a surgeon, it remains one of the most objective, publicly verifiable measures of a surgeon's experience with a specific procedure. We present this data alongside hospital quality ratings, complication data, and geographic information so patients can make a well-rounded decision.

Read the Research Full Methodology

Common Questions About Choosing a Surgeon

How do I choose the right orthopedic surgeon for joint replacement?

Look for a surgeon who performs a high volume of the specific procedure you need. Research shows that surgeons who perform 50+ joint replacements per year have significantly better patient outcomes. Check their hospital affiliations, read patient reviews, and verify their board certification. OrthoProcedures makes this easier by ranking surgeons by verified Medicare procedure volume, so you can quickly identify the most experienced specialists in your area.

What does "procedure volume" mean and why does it matter?

Procedure volume is the number of times a surgeon has performed a specific operation. Multiple peer-reviewed studies in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and JAMA have shown that high-volume surgeons (100+ procedures per year) achieve up to 50% lower complication rates, fewer revision surgeries, and shorter hospital stays. The volumes shown on OrthoProcedures represent Medicare Part B claims, which capture approximately one-third of all joint replacements performed nationally.

Is the surgeon data on OrthoProcedures accurate and up to date?

Yes. All data comes directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that administers Medicare. We use the most recent annual release of Medicare Part B Provider Utilization data (currently 2023). CMS data is published with an 18-month lag, so the 2023 dataset is the most current available. Each surgeon is verified by their National Provider Identifier (NPI), ensuring data accuracy.

Should I pick the highest-volume surgeon or consider other factors?

Volume is one important factor, but not the only one. Consider the surgeon's experience with your specific procedure (hip, knee, or shoulder), their hospital's quality ratings, location and convenience, patient reviews, and your personal comfort level during the consultation. OrthoProcedures provides hospital quality data, CMS star ratings, and complication rates alongside volume data to help you make a well-rounded decision.

What types of joint replacement does OrthoProcedures cover?

OrthoProcedures covers the three most common joint replacement procedures: total hip arthroplasty (hip replacement), total knee arthroplasty (knee replacement), and total shoulder arthroplasty (shoulder replacement). These are tracked using specific CPT procedure codes in the Medicare billing data. Together, these three procedures account for over 1.5 million surgeries performed annually in the United States.

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8,293 NPI-verified surgeons

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Verified Medicare Data

All surgeon rankings sourced directly from Medicare.gov and CMS.gov official databases

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