Dr. Ameer Elbuluk, M.D.
Contact & Location
800-926-8273
San Diego, CA 92103
New York, NY 10021
Dr. Elbuluk performs more knee replacement procedures than 72% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #135 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Elbuluk
Practice. Dr. Ameer Elbuluk is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in San Diego, California. The latest annual CMS data records 51 knee replacements and 46 hip replacements, 97 procedures in all. That is #135 in California for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2018.
Trend. Dr. Elbuluk 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, 51 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. San Diego has 31 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: 56 procedures in 2023 and 97 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. Elbuluk Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Elbuluk 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.
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.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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. Elbuluk
How does Dr. Elbuluk's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Elbuluk has performed 97 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Elbuluk ranks #119 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Elbuluk perform?
Dr. Elbuluk's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (51 cases) and hip replacement (46 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Elbuluk in San Diego?
Yes. There are 31 orthopedic surgeons in San Diego 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. Elbuluk 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. Elbuluk's total volume across all insurers at roughly 320 to 410 procedures against the 97 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. Elbuluk perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Elbuluk's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (51 cases), hip replacement (46 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Elbuluk affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Elbuluk is affiliated with Kaiser Foundation Hospital Westside. Dr. Elbuluk maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Elbuluk compare to other orthopedic surgeons in San Diego?
Among the 31 orthopedic surgeons in San Diego, Dr. Elbuluk ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Elbuluk is among the highest-volume surgeons in San Diego.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Elbuluk practices?
Kaiser Foundation Hospital Westside (3 out of 5 CMS stars). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in San Diego, California
Dr. Elbuluk's 97 Medicare procedures are below the San Diego average of 121. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in San Diego.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Scott Ball | 253 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Francis Gonzales | 155 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Nguyen | 93 | Knee |
| Dr. Daljeet Sagoo | 88 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Fabi | 87 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joseph Jankiewicz | 71 | 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.