Dr. Bryan Head, M.D.
Contact & Location
501-329-1510
Conway, AR 72034
Dr. Head performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 57% of orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #14 of 33 ranked shoulder surgeons in Arkansas.
About Dr. Head
Practice. Dr. Bryan Head is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Conway, Arkansas. The latest annual CMS data records 18 shoulder replacements. That is #14 in Arkansas for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2016.
Trend. Dr. Head first appears in the Medicare data in 2023. With 2 years on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 18 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Conway has 5 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 18 procedures in 2023 and 18 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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 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. Head Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Arkansas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Head has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2023. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Head
How does Dr. Head's procedure volume compare to other Arkansas surgeons?
Dr. Head has performed 18 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Arkansas average is 66 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Head ranks #76 out of 89 orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Head perform?
Dr. Head's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 18 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Head with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Head ranks #14 in Arkansas for shoulder replacement with 18 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 89 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Head in Conway?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Conway 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 Arkansas surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Head 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Head's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 60 procedures against the 18 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Head affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Head is affiliated with Conway Regional Medical Center, Inc, Ozark Health.
How does Dr. Head compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Conway?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Conway, Dr. Head ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Conway has 73 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Head practices?
Conway Regional Medical Center, Inc (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Ozark Health (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 Conway, Arkansas
Dr. Head's 18 Medicare procedures are below the Conway average of 39. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Conway.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Grant Bennett | 73 | Knee |
| Dr. Harry Smith | 59 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brent Lawrence | 28 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jonathan Ghormley | 16 | 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.