Dr. William Prickett, M.D.
Contact & Location
520-382-8200
Tucson, AZ 85741
Dr. Prickett performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 75% of orthopedic surgeons in Arizona, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #15 of 62 ranked shoulder surgeons in Arizona.
About Dr. Prickett
Practice. Dr. William Prickett is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Tucson, Arizona. The latest annual CMS data records 39 shoulder replacements. That is #15 in Arizona for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 20 and 49 procedures a year.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 39 procedures is above the national average of 29.
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 Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 34 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2018 | 49 |
| 2019 | 47 |
| 2020 | 38 |
| 2021 | 27 |
| 2022 | 42 |
| 2023 | 41 |
| 2024 | 39 |
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. Prickett Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Arizona state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Prickett's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 20 to 49 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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:
A step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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.
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. Prickett
How does Dr. Prickett's procedure volume compare to other Arizona surgeons?
Dr. Prickett has performed 39 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Arizona average is 72 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Prickett ranks #118 out of 191 orthopedic surgeons in Arizona.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Prickett perform?
Dr. Prickett's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 39 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Prickett with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Prickett ranks #15 in Arizona for shoulder replacement with 39 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 191 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Prickett 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. Prickett 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. Prickett's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 130 procedures against the 39 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. Prickett's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Prickett's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 20 to 49 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Which hospitals is Dr. Prickett affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Prickett is affiliated with Northwest Medical Center, Oro Valley Hospital.
How does Dr. Prickett compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Tucson?
Among the 27 orthopedic surgeons in Tucson, Dr. Prickett ranks #16 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. Prickett 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). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Tucson, Arizona
Dr. Prickett's 39 Medicare procedures are below the Tucson average of 147. 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.