Dr. Thomas Paynter, M.D.
Contact & Location
907-562-2277
Anchorage, AK 99508
Eagle River, AK 99577
Dr. Paynter performs more knee replacement procedures than 73% of orthopedic surgeons in Alaska, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #6 of 23 ranked knee surgeons in Alaska.
About Dr. Paynter
Practice. Dr. Thomas Paynter is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Anchorage, Alaska. The latest annual CMS data records 62 knee replacements, 40 hip replacements, and 38 shoulder replacements, 140 procedures in all. That is #6 in Alaska for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2016 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 12 procedures a year to 140, up 1067%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 62 procedures is above the national average of 45.
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 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 31 | 22 | 0 |
| 2018 | 40 | 32 | 0 |
| 2019 | 82 | 26 | 0 |
| 2020 | 34 | 14 | 0 |
| 2021 | 16 | 19 | 0 |
| 2022 | 23 | 31 | 25 |
| 2023 | 24 | 50 | 36 |
| 2024 | 40 | 62 | 38 |
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, 25% to 33% for hip 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. Paynter Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Alaska state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Paynter's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 1067% from 12 procedures in 2016 to 140 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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
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.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Paynter
How does Dr. Paynter's procedure volume compare to other Alaska surgeons?
Dr. Paynter has performed 140 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Alaska average of 67 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Paynter ranks #4 out of 27 orthopedic surgeons in Alaska.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Paynter perform?
Dr. Paynter performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (62 cases), hip replacement (40 cases), shoulder replacement (38 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
How experienced is Dr. Paynter with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Paynter ranks #6 in Alaska for knee replacement with 62 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 27 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Paynter 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. Paynter 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, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Paynter's total volume across all insurers at roughly 450 to 560 procedures against the 140 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. Paynter's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Paynter's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2016 to 140 in the most recent data, a 1067% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 140 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Paynter perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Paynter's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (62 cases), hip replacement (40 cases), shoulder replacement (38 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Paynter among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Paynter affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Paynter is affiliated with Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Regional Hospital, South Peninsula Hospital, Central Peninsula General Hospital, Providence Kodiak Island Medical Ctr.
How does Dr. Paynter compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Anchorage?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Anchorage, Dr. Paynter ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Anchorage has 229 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Paynter practices?
Providence Alaska Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Alaska Regional Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); South Peninsula Hospital (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Anchorage, Alaska
Dr. Paynter's 140 Medicare procedures are below 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. Bradley Sparks | 213 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Douglas Prevost | 165 | 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.