Dr. Christopher Parks, M.D.
Contact & Location
256-539-2728
Huntsville, AL 35801
Dr. Parks performs more knee replacement procedures than 99% of orthopedic surgeons in Alabama, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #1 of 113 ranked knee surgeons in Alabama.
About Dr. Parks
Dr. Christopher Parks is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Huntsville, Alabama. A Medicare provider since 2010, Dr. Parks completed 185 knee replacements (#1 in Alabama), 78 hip replacements, and 12 shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, totaling 275 Medicare-verified procedures.
In Alabama, Dr. Parks performs well above the state average in knee (185 vs 32), well above the state average in hip (78 vs 26), below the state average in shoulder (12 vs 20).
Dr. Parks performs all three major joint replacement procedures (hip, knee, and shoulder), indicating a broad scope of orthopedic practice. The largest share is knee replacements (185 cases), followed by hip replacements (78) and shoulder replacements (12).
Huntsville is home to 14 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Huntsville area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs. Dr. Parks also maintains hospital privileges in AL and TN, indicating a regional practice that extends beyond Alabama.
Medicare records for Dr. Parks extend back to 2015, covering 10 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 51 to 275 in the most recent data, a 439% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Parks's 185 verified procedures is more than 4x the national average of 45, ranking #77 nationally.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 19 | 32 | 0 |
| 2016 | 34 | 48 | 0 |
| 2017 | 18 | 54 | 0 |
| 2018 | 77 | 127 | 0 |
| 2019 | 73 | 149 | 0 |
| 2020 | 60 | 145 | 0 |
| 2021 | 67 | 140 | 0 |
| 2022 | 89 | 151 | 0 |
| 2023 | 87 | 183 | 18 |
| 2024 | 78 | 185 | 12 |
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. Parks Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Alabama state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Parks's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 10 years, increasing 439% from 51 procedures in 2015 to 275 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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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. Parks
How does Dr. Parks's procedure volume compare to other Alabama surgeons?
Dr. Parks has performed 275 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 6x the Alabama average of 44 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Parks ranks #1 out of 126 orthopedic surgeons in Alabama.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Parks perform?
Dr. Parks performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (185 cases), hip replacement (78 cases), shoulder replacement (12 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
How experienced is Dr. Parks with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Parks ranks #1 in Alabama for knee replacement with 185 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 126 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Parks in Huntsville?
Yes. There are 14 orthopedic surgeons in Huntsville 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 Alabama surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Parks 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. Parks's total volume across all insurers at roughly 930 to 1,160 procedures against the 275 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. Parks's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Parks's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 51 procedures in 2015 to 275 in the most recent data, a 439% increase over 10 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 288 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Parks perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Parks's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (185 cases), hip replacement (78 cases), shoulder replacement (12 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Parks among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Parks affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Parks is affiliated with Huntsville Hospital, Lincoln Medical Center, Marshall Medical Centers South Campus, Decatur Morgan Hospital-Decatur Campus, Helen Keller Memorial Hospital. Dr. Parks maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Parks compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Huntsville?
Among the 14 orthopedic surgeons in Huntsville, Dr. Parks ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Parks has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Parks practices?
Huntsville Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Lincoln Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Marshall Medical Centers South Campus (3 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 Huntsville, Alabama
Dr. Parks's 275 Medicare procedures are above the Huntsville average of 130. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Huntsville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Matthew Clayton | 152 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Bradley Wills | 129 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Thomasson | 119 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Sudhakar Madanagopal | 87 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. David Griffin | 78 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Janssen | 68 | Knee, Shoulder |
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.