Dr. Paul Edwards, MD

Orthopedic Surgery
131 procedures 3 hospitals Little Rock, AR
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026
Growing Volume

Contact & Location

Phone: 501-663-6455
Practice phone listed in the NPI registry
5220 Northshore Dr
Little Rock, AR 72118
NPI: 1235289596
Credentials: MD
Active Medicare provider (NPI verified)
19 years of practice experience
Licensed MD
Licensed surgical specialist
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon
Contact information available
Find Practice on Google Maps
Hip replacement recovery kit Essentials every patient wishes they bought first
National Comparison by Procedure
Hip 81 vs 36 avg (4,532 surgeons)
Knee 50 vs 45 avg (6,599 surgeons)

Dr. Paul Edwards is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Little Rock, Arkansas. A Medicare provider since 2007, Dr. Edwards has performed 81 Medicare-verified hip replacements (#3 in Arkansas) and 50 knee replacements, for a combined total of 131 procedures.

In Arkansas, Dr. Edwards performs well above average in hip (81 vs 35 avg), near average in knee (50 vs 47 avg).

Dr. Edwards's reported Medicare volume is split between hip replacements (81 cases) and knee replacements (50 cases).

Little Rock is home to 26 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Little Rock area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.

Medicare records for Dr. Edwards extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 75 to 131 in the most recent data, a 75% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.

Among 4,532 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Edwards's 81 verified procedures is more than 2x the national average of 36.

Verified Medicare Cases

Hip Replacement
81 verified cases
#3 in Arkansas
Knee Replacement
50 verified cases
#21 in Arkansas
Estimated total: 350 – 400 procedures (all insurers)
Based on Medicare FFS representing 33–37% of national joint replacement volume
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. Edwards Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Arkansas state average.

Hip Very High
81 Avg: 35
Knee Average
50 Avg: 47
Dr. Edwards Arkansas Average

Volume Trend Analysis

Dr. Edwards's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 75% from 75 procedures in 2013 to 131 in the most recent data.

Years of Data 12
2024 Volume 131
Peak Volume 131 (2024)
Trend Growing

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
No Little Rock, AR
Similar to national avg
H
Baptist Health Medical Center North Little Rock
1/5
North Little Rock, AR
Similar to national avg
H
Conway Regional Medical Center, Inc
3/5
Conway, AR
Low case volume

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:

Hip Replacement Recovery Overview

Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:

Week 1-2 Walking with assistive device (walker or cane). Gentle range-of-motion exercises begin. Most patients can manage basic self-care.
Week 3-6 Transition to walking independently. Resume driving short distances. Physical therapy focuses on strength and balance.
Week 7-12 Return to most daily activities and light exercise. Stair climbing improves. Many patients return to desk work.
Month 4-6 Full recovery for most patients. Resume recreational activities, golf, swimming, and low-impact exercise.

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. Edwards

How does Dr. Edwards's procedure volume compare to other Arkansas surgeons?

Dr. Edwards has performed 131 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Arkansas average of 66 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Edwards ranks #11 out of 89 orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Edwards perform?

Dr. Edwards's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (81 cases) and knee replacement (50 cases).

How experienced is Dr. Edwards with hip replacement surgery?

Dr. Edwards ranks #3 in Arkansas for hip replacement with 81 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 89 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.

Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Edwards in Little Rock?

Yes. There are 26 orthopedic surgeons in Little Rock 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. Edwards 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. Edwards's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 131 procedures shown here.

Has Dr. Edwards's procedure volume changed over time?

Yes. Dr. Edwards's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 75 procedures in 2013 to 131 in the most recent data, a 75% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 131 procedures in 2024.

Does Dr. Edwards perform more than one type of joint replacement?

Yes. Dr. Edwards's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (81 cases), knee replacement (50 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.

Which hospitals is Dr. Edwards affiliated with?

According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Edwards is affiliated with Arkansas Surgical Hospital, Baptist Health Medical Center North Little Rock, Conway Regional Medical Center, Inc.

How does Dr. Edwards compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Little Rock?

Among the 26 orthopedic surgeons in Little Rock, Dr. Edwards ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Little Rock has 255 verified Medicare procedures.

What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Edwards practices?

Arkansas Surgical Hospital (hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Baptist Health Medical Center North Little Rock (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Conway Regional Medical Center, Inc (3 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 Little Rock, Arkansas

Dr. Edwards's 131 Medicare procedures are below the Little Rock average of 148. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Little Rock.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
Dr. Kenneth Martin 255 Knee
Dr. Samuel Baxter 166 Hip, Knee
Dr. Charles Barnes 164 Hip, Knee
Dr. David Newbern 135 Hip, Knee
Dr. Adam Smith 94 Hip, Knee
Dr. Joel Smith 93 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.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. Paul Edwards, MD -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/ar/dr-paul-edwards-little-rock.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/ar/dr-paul-edwards-little-rock.html

Data source: CMS Medicare Part B Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Full methodology | Open Data API

Important: Rankings are based solely on Medicare procedure volume and do not reflect quality of care, patient outcomes, or procedures covered by private insurance. This data represents approximately one-third to 40% of all joint replacement procedures nationwide. Always consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care.