Dr. Justin Walden, MD
Contact & Location
501-321-2663
Hot Springs, AR 71913
Dr. Walden performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 45% of orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #18 of 33 ranked shoulder surgeons in Arkansas.
About Dr. Walden
Dr. Justin Walden is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A Medicare provider since 2010, Dr. Walden performed 17 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #18 in Arkansas.
In Arkansas, Dr. Walden performs below the state average in shoulder (17 vs 23).
Dr. Walden's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 17 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.
Hot Springs is home to 6 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Hot Springs area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Walden's Medicare data spans 9 years, beginning in 2015. Volume peaked at 43 procedures in 2016 before settling at 17 in the most recent data. Changes in Medicare reporting, payer mix shifts, or practice focus adjustments can all influence year-to-year volume.
Dr. Walden's 17 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 29 among 2,217 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 43 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 17 |
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. Walden Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Arkansas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Walden's recorded volume peaked at 43 procedures in 2016 and stood at 17 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 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.
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.
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. Walden
How does Dr. Walden's procedure volume compare to other Arkansas surgeons?
Dr. Walden has performed 17 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. Walden ranks #77 out of 89 orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Walden perform?
Dr. Walden's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 17 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Walden with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Walden ranks #18 in Arkansas for shoulder replacement with 17 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 89 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Walden in Hot Springs?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Hot Springs 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. Walden 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. Walden's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 60 procedures against the 17 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. Walden's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Walden's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 43 procedures in 2016 and was 17 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Walden affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Walden is affiliated with Chi St Vincent Hospital Hot Springs, Howard Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Walden compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Hot Springs?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Hot Springs, Dr. Walden ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Hot Springs has 126 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Walden practices?
Chi St Vincent Hospital Hot Springs (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 Hot Springs, Arkansas
Dr. Walden's 17 Medicare procedures are below the Hot Springs average of 46. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Hot Springs.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Young | 126 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Lawrence Dodd | 57 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Gordon Birk | 37 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Trent Johnson | 24 | Knee |
| Dr. Cari Cordell | 16 | 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.