Dr. Sudhakar Madanagopal, M.D.
Contact & Location
256-539-2728
Huntsville, AL 35801
Dr. Madanagopal performs more hip replacement procedures than 90% of orthopedic surgeons in Alabama, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #5 of 53 ranked hip surgeons in Alabama.
About Dr. Madanagopal
Practice. Dr. Sudhakar Madanagopal is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Huntsville, Alabama. The latest annual CMS data records 48 hip replacements, 25 knee replacements, and 14 shoulder replacements, 87 procedures in all. That is #5 in Alabama for hip replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 14 procedures a year to 87, up 521%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 48 procedures is above the national average of 36.
Local context. Huntsville has 14 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Madanagopal also holds hospital privileges in AL and TN, a practice that extends beyond Alabama.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 39 | 14 | 0 |
| 2017 | 39 | 23 | 11 |
| 2018 | 40 | 23 | 18 |
| 2019 | 35 | 22 | 19 |
| 2020 | 18 | 20 | 0 |
| 2021 | 26 | 28 | 0 |
| 2022 | 37 | 14 | 0 |
| 2023 | 40 | 18 | 0 |
| 2024 | 48 | 25 | 14 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee 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. Madanagopal Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Alabama state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Madanagopal's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 521% from 14 procedures in 2014 to 87 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Madanagopal
How does Dr. Madanagopal's procedure volume compare to other Alabama surgeons?
Dr. Madanagopal has performed 87 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Alabama average of 44 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Madanagopal ranks #13 out of 126 orthopedic surgeons in Alabama.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Madanagopal perform?
Dr. Madanagopal performs all three major joint replacement procedures: hip replacement (48 cases), knee replacement (25 cases), shoulder replacement (14 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
How experienced is Dr. Madanagopal with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Madanagopal ranks #5 in Alabama for hip replacement with 48 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 126 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Madanagopal 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. Madanagopal 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Madanagopal's total volume across all insurers at roughly 270 to 350 procedures against the 87 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. Madanagopal's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Madanagopal's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 14 procedures in 2014 to 87 in the most recent data, a 521% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 87 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Madanagopal perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Madanagopal's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (48 cases), knee replacement (25 cases), shoulder replacement (14 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Madanagopal among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Madanagopal affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Madanagopal is affiliated with Huntsville Hospital, Marshall Medical Centers South Campus, Lincoln Medical Center, Decatur Morgan Hospital-Decatur Campus, Athens Limestone Hospital. Dr. Madanagopal maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Madanagopal compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Huntsville?
Among the 14 orthopedic surgeons in Huntsville, Dr. Madanagopal ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Huntsville has 275 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Madanagopal practices?
Huntsville Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Marshall Medical Centers South Campus (3 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). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Huntsville, Alabama
Dr. Madanagopal's 87 Medicare procedures are below the Huntsville average of 130. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Huntsville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Parks | 275 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Matthew Clayton | 152 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Bradley Wills | 129 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Thomasson | 119 | 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.