Dr. Alexander Vlahu, M.D.
Contact & Location
858-554-7993
La Jolla, CA 92037
Carmel, IN 46280
Dr. Vlahu performs more knee replacement procedures than 63% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #179 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Vlahu
Practice. Dr. Alexander Vlahu is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in La Jolla, California. The latest annual CMS data records 42 knee replacements and 32 hip replacements, 74 procedures in all. That is #179 in California for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2019.
Trend. Dr. Vlahu first appears in the Medicare data in 2024. With 1 year on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 42 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. La Jolla has 15 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Vlahu also holds hospital privileges in IN and CA, a practice that extends beyond California.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 1 year: 74 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. 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. Vlahu Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
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.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
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. Vlahu
How does Dr. Vlahu's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Vlahu has performed 74 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Vlahu ranks #183 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Vlahu perform?
Dr. Vlahu's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (42 cases) and hip replacement (32 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Vlahu in La Jolla?
Yes. There are 15 orthopedic surgeons in La Jolla 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 California surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Vlahu 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, which puts Dr. Vlahu's total volume across all insurers at roughly 250 to 310 procedures against the 74 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. Vlahu perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Vlahu's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (42 cases), hip replacement (32 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Vlahu affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Vlahu is affiliated with Indiana University Health, Indiana University Health North Hospital, Scripps Green Hospital. Dr. Vlahu maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Vlahu compare to other orthopedic surgeons in La Jolla?
Among the 15 orthopedic surgeons in La Jolla, Dr. Vlahu ranks #9 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in La Jolla has 232 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Vlahu practices?
Indiana University Health (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Indiana University Health North Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Scripps Green Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate better than national average). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in La Jolla, California
Dr. Vlahu's 74 Medicare procedures are below the La Jolla average of 156. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in La Jolla.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. William Bugbee | 232 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Steven Copp | 211 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Wilde | 170 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Anna Kulidjian | 158 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Weber | 136 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kace Ezzet | 108 | 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.