Dr. Andrew Hester
Contact & Location
256-979-1550
Fort Payne, AL 35968
Dr. Hester performs more knee replacement procedures than 48% of orthopedic surgeons in Alabama, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #58 of 113 ranked knee surgeons in Alabama.
About Dr. Hester
Practice. Dr. Andrew Hester is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Fort Payne, Alabama. The latest annual CMS data records 26 knee replacements. That is #58 in Alabama for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 20 procedures a year to 26, up 30%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 26 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 20 |
| 2015 | 0 | 19 |
| 2016 | 0 | 17 |
| 2017 | 11 | 13 |
| 2018 | 0 | 15 |
| 2019 | 0 | 16 |
| 2020 | 0 | 14 |
| 2021 | 0 | 21 |
| 2022 | 0 | 21 |
| 2023 | 0 | 35 |
| 2024 | 0 | 26 |
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. 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. Hester Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Alabama state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hester's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 30% from 20 procedures in 2014 to 26 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. Hester
How does Dr. Hester's procedure volume compare to other Alabama surgeons?
Dr. Hester has performed 26 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Alabama average is 44 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Hester ranks #75 out of 126 orthopedic surgeons in Alabama.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hester perform?
Dr. Hester's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 26 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Where is Dr. Hester's practice located?
Dr. Hester practices in Fort Payne, Alabama. The office is located at 1411 Old Water Works Rd Sw, Fort Payne, AL 35968. Patients in the surrounding area can consult Dr. Hester for joint replacement evaluation.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Hester 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, which puts Dr. Hester's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 110 procedures against the 26 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. Hester's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Hester's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 20 procedures in 2014 to 26 in the most recent data, a 30% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 35 procedures in 2023.
Which hospitals is Dr. Hester affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hester is affiliated with Dekalb Regional Medical Center, Highlands Medical Center.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Hester practices?
Dekalb Regional Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Highlands Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
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.