Dr. Simon Mears, M.D., Ph.D.
Contact & Location
501-686-6067
Little Rock, AR 72205
Little Rock, AR 72205
Gainesville, FL 32610
Gainesville, FL 32607
Gainesville, FL 32607
Dr. Mears performs more hip replacement procedures than 44% of orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #24 of 43 ranked hip surgeons in Arkansas.
About Dr. Mears
Practice. Dr. Simon Mears is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Little Rock, Arkansas. The latest annual CMS data records 26 hip replacements and 11 knee replacements, 37 procedures in all. That is #24 in Arkansas for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 11 years. Volume peaked at 77 in 2019 and stands at 37 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 26 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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 | 27 | 29 |
| 2014 | 16 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 21 | 37 |
| 2017 | 20 | 36 |
| 2018 | 28 | 30 |
| 2019 | 40 | 37 |
| 2020 | 24 | 17 |
| 2021 | 17 | 23 |
| 2022 | 24 | 25 |
| 2023 | 18 | 18 |
| 2024 | 26 | 11 |
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. Mears Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Arkansas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Mears's recorded volume peaked at 77 procedures in 2019 and stood at 37 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 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.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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. Mears
How does Dr. Mears's procedure volume compare to other Arkansas surgeons?
Dr. Mears has performed 37 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. Mears ranks #48 out of 89 orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Mears perform?
Dr. Mears's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (26 cases) and knee replacement (11 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Mears 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. Mears 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. Mears's total volume across all insurers at roughly 120 to 150 procedures against the 37 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. Mears's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Mears's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 77 procedures in 2019 and was 37 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.
Does Dr. Mears perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Mears's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (26 cases), knee replacement (11 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Mears affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Mears is affiliated with Uams Medical Center.
How does Dr. Mears compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Little Rock?
Among the 26 orthopedic surgeons in Little Rock, Dr. Mears ranks #16 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. Mears practices?
Uams 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 Little Rock, Arkansas
Dr. Mears's 37 Medicare procedures are below the Little Rock average of 140. 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. Paul Edwards | 131 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Adam Smith | 94 | Hip, 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.