Dr. John Riehl, M.D.
Contact & Location
256-350-0362
Decatur, AL 35601
Dr. Riehl performs more knee replacement procedures than 59% of orthopedic surgeons in Alabama, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #46 of 113 ranked knee surgeons in Alabama.
About Dr. Riehl
Practice. Dr. John Riehl is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Decatur, Alabama. The latest annual CMS data records 29 knee replacements and 18 hip replacements, 47 procedures in all. That is #46 in Alabama for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 95 in 2013 and stands at 47 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 29 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Decatur has 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 18 | 77 |
| 2014 | 25 | 56 |
| 2015 | 24 | 66 |
| 2016 | 20 | 65 |
| 2017 | 20 | 40 |
| 2018 | 21 | 42 |
| 2019 | 16 | 44 |
| 2020 | 21 | 40 |
| 2021 | 18 | 36 |
| 2022 | 15 | 22 |
| 2023 | 19 | 25 |
| 2024 | 18 | 29 |
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. 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. Riehl Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Alabama state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Riehl's recorded volume peaked at 95 procedures in 2013 and stood at 47 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Riehl
How does Dr. Riehl's procedure volume compare to other Alabama surgeons?
Dr. Riehl has performed 47 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Alabama average of 44 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Riehl ranks #45 out of 126 orthopedic surgeons in Alabama.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Riehl perform?
Dr. Riehl's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (29 cases) and hip replacement (18 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Riehl in Decatur?
Yes. There are 3 orthopedic surgeons in Decatur 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. Riehl 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, which puts Dr. Riehl's total volume across all insurers at roughly 160 to 200 procedures against the 47 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. Riehl's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Riehl's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 95 procedures in 2013 and was 47 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Does Dr. Riehl perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Riehl's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (29 cases), hip replacement (18 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Riehl affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Riehl is affiliated with Decatur Morgan Hospital-Decatur Campus, Cullman Regional Medical Center.
How does Dr. Riehl compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Decatur?
Among the 3 orthopedic surgeons in Decatur, Dr. Riehl ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Riehl is among the highest-volume surgeons in Decatur.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Riehl practices?
Decatur Morgan Hospital-Decatur Campus (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Cullman Regional Medical Center (2 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 Decatur, Alabama
Dr. Riehl's 47 Medicare procedures are at the Decatur average of 47. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Decatur.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Robert Tapscott | 70 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Richard Sharp | 23 | 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.