Dr. Steven Ward, D.O.
Contact & Location
520-881-1394
Tucson, AZ 85741
Dr. Ward performs more knee replacement procedures than 42% of orthopedic surgeons in Arizona, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #88 of 152 ranked knee surgeons in Arizona.
About Dr. Ward
Practice. Dr. Steven Ward is an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Tucson, Arizona. The latest annual CMS data records 31 knee replacements, 20 hip replacements, and 19 shoulder replacements, 70 procedures in all. That is #88 in Arizona for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2013.
Trend. Dr. Ward first appears in the Medicare data in 2023. With 2 years on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 31 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Tucson has 27 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: 14 procedures in 2023 and 70 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 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. Ward Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Arizona state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Ward 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 Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-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.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Ward
How does Dr. Ward's procedure volume compare to other Arizona surgeons?
Dr. Ward has performed 70 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Arizona average of 72 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Ward ranks #70 out of 191 orthopedic surgeons in Arizona.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ward perform?
Dr. Ward performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (31 cases), hip replacement (20 cases), shoulder replacement (19 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ward in Tucson?
Yes. There are 27 orthopedic surgeons in Tucson 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 Arizona surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Ward 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Ward's total volume across all insurers at roughly 220 to 280 procedures against the 70 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.
Does Dr. Ward perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Ward's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (31 cases), hip replacement (20 cases), shoulder replacement (19 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Ward among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Ward affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Ward is affiliated with Northwest Medical Center, Oro Valley Hospital, Northwest Medical Center Sahuarita.
How does Dr. Ward compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Tucson?
Among the 27 orthopedic surgeons in Tucson, Dr. Ward ranks #11 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Tucson has 213 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Ward practices?
Northwest Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Oro Valley Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Northwest Medical Center Sahuarita (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 Tucson, Arizona
Dr. Ward's 70 Medicare procedures are below the Tucson average of 152. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Tucson.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Russell Cohen | 213 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Miller | 170 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Wild | 169 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Maltry | 160 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Edward Petrow | 145 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Chad Hills | 135 | 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.