Dr. Paul Edwards, M.D.
Contact & Location
501-663-6455
Little Rock, AR 72118
Dr. Edwards performs more hip replacement procedures than 93% of orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #3 of 43 ranked hip surgeons in Arkansas.
About Dr. Edwards
Practice. Dr. Paul Edwards is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Little Rock, Arkansas. The latest annual CMS data records 81 hip replacements and 50 knee replacements, 131 procedures in all. That is #3 in Arkansas for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 75 procedures a year to 131, up 75%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 81 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 36.
Local context. Little Rock has 26 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 49 | 26 |
| 2014 | 67 | 39 |
| 2015 | 31 | 18 |
| 2016 | 39 | 27 |
| 2017 | 50 | 47 |
| 2018 | 51 | 44 |
| 2019 | 39 | 44 |
| 2020 | 27 | 21 |
| 2021 | 39 | 36 |
| 2022 | 49 | 43 |
| 2023 | 72 | 45 |
| 2024 | 81 | 50 |
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. 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. Edwards Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Arkansas state 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.
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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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 Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. 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 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, which puts Dr. Edwards's total volume across all insurers at roughly 420 to 540 procedures against the 131 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. 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, Baptist Health Medical Center Heber Spings, Ozark Health.
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.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| 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.