Dr. Bradley Sparks, M.D.
Contact & Location
907-563-3145
Anchorage, AK 99508
Dr. Sparks performs more knee replacement procedures than 95% of orthopedic surgeons in Alaska, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #1 of 23 ranked knee surgeons in Alaska.
About Dr. Sparks
Practice. Dr. Bradley Sparks is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Anchorage, Alaska. The latest annual CMS data records 196 knee replacements and 17 shoulder replacements, 213 procedures in all. That is #1 in Alaska for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2015 to 2024, 10 years. Volume rose from 46 procedures a year to 213, up 363%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 196 procedures is more than 4x the national average of 45. That is #64 nationally.
Local context. Anchorage has 18 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 11 | 22 | 13 |
| 2016 | 11 | 18 | 15 |
| 2017 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 13 | 12 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| 2021 | 0 | 35 | 26 |
| 2022 | 0 | 39 | 17 |
| 2023 | 0 | 45 | 19 |
| 2024 | 0 | 196 | 17 |
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims are one payer stream among several, and the share they represent differs by procedure. In 2024 it was 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement. Each verified count above is divided by its own procedure's range, and the results are added, to estimate total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count is the definitive, audited figure; this is a range derived from published national volume projections, not a measurement, and an individual practice can sit well outside it: how these ranges are derived, and their sources.
How Dr. Sparks Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Alaska state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Sparks's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 10 years, increasing 363% from 46 procedures in 2015 to 213 in the most recent data.
Hospital Affiliations & Quality
Quality ratings and complication rates are hospital-level metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon performance. Star ratings updated quarterly. Complication data covers a rolling 3-year period.
Patient Resources: Preparing for Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Sparks
How does Dr. Sparks's procedure volume compare to other Alaska surgeons?
Dr. Sparks has performed 213 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 3x the Alaska average of 67 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Sparks ranks #2 out of 27 orthopedic surgeons in Alaska.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Sparks perform?
Dr. Sparks's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (196 cases) and shoulder replacement (17 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Sparks with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Sparks ranks #1 in Alaska for knee replacement with 196 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 27 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Sparks in Anchorage?
Yes. There are 18 orthopedic surgeons in Anchorage in the current Medicare dataset. Patients can compare procedure volumes and specializations to choose the surgeon who best fits their needs. Use the state page to view all Alaska surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Sparks represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on 2024 Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare fee-for-service is only one payer stream, and the share of national volume it represents differs by procedure. In 2024 the share was 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Sparks's total volume across all insurers at roughly 750 to 910 procedures against the 213 verified here. Those shares are derived from published national volume projections rather than quoted from a single publication, and they are estimates with real uncertainty. The OrthoProcedures methodology page shows the full derivation, the sources, and the limits at orthoprocedures.com/data-methodology.html.
Has Dr. Sparks's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Sparks's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 46 procedures in 2015 to 213 in the most recent data, a 363% increase over 10 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 213 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Sparks perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Sparks's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (196 cases), shoulder replacement (17 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Sparks affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Sparks is affiliated with Alaska Regional Hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Central Peninsula General Hospital, South Peninsula Hospital, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium.
How does Dr. Sparks compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Anchorage?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Anchorage, Dr. Sparks ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Sparks is among the highest-volume surgeons in Anchorage.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Sparks practices?
Alaska Regional Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Providence Alaska Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Central Peninsula General Hospital (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Anchorage, Alaska
Dr. Sparks's 213 Medicare procedures are above the Anchorage average of 144. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Anchorage.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Bryan Haughom | 229 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Douglas Prevost | 165 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Thomas Paynter | 140 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Tucker Drury | 104 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ian Brimhall | 89 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Elisha Powell | 67 | Hip, Knee |
Patient Resources & Verification
Research reviews, verify credentials, and check official quality data through these trusted sources:
Medicare Care Compare and NPI Registry are official U.S. government sources. Google reviews reflect user-submitted feedback. OrthoProcedures.com does not verify the accuracy of third-party review content.