Shoulder
Dr. Orvis Chitwood, M.D.
Dr. Orvis Chitwood is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Dothan, Alabama. A Medicare provider since 2005, Dr. Chitwood has performed 20 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements, ranking #12 in Alabama.
In Alabama, Dr. Chitwood performs near average in shoulder (20 vs 23 avg).
Dr. Chitwood's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 20 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Dothan is home to 7 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Dothan area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Chitwood extend back to 2018, covering 6 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 11 to 20 in the most recent data, a 82% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Dr. Chitwood's 20 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 28 among 2,092 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Chitwood Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Alabama state average.
Contact & Location
Dothan, AL 36301
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Chitwood's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 6 years, increasing 82% from 11 procedures in 2018 to 20 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
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.
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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Chitwood
How does Dr. Chitwood's procedure volume compare to other Alabama surgeons?
Dr. Chitwood has performed 20 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Alabama average is 47 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Chitwood ranks #96 out of 129 orthopedic surgeons in Alabama.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Chitwood perform?
Dr. Chitwood's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 20 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Chitwood with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Chitwood ranks #12 in Alabama for shoulder replacement with 20 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 129 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Chitwood in Dothan?
Yes. There are 7 orthopedic surgeons in Dothan 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. Chitwood represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Chitwood's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 20 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Chitwood's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Chitwood's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2018 to 20 in the most recent data, a 82% increase over 6 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 20 procedures in 2023.
Which hospitals is Dr. Chitwood affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Chitwood is affiliated with Flowers Hospital, Southeast Health Medical Center.
How does Dr. Chitwood compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Dothan?
Among the 7 orthopedic surgeons in Dothan, Dr. Chitwood ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Dothan has 103 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Chitwood practices?
Flowers Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Southeast Health Medical Center (4 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 Dothan, Alabama
Dr. Chitwood's 20 Medicare procedures are below the Dothan average of 36. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Dothan.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Robinson | 103 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Chase Smith | 49 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jonathan Jennings | 39 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Timothy Pflugner | 15 | Knee |
| Dr. Judson Moore | 15 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Patrick Guin | 11 | Knee |
Patient Reviews & Ratings
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