Dr. Christopher Behr, M.D.
Contact & Location
619-299-8500
San Diego, CA 92103
Dr. Behr performs more knee replacement procedures than 24% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #369 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Behr
Dr. Christopher Behr is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in San Diego, California. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Behr performed 18 Medicare-verified knee replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #369 in California.
In California, Dr. Behr performs below the state average in knee (18 vs 47).
Dr. Behr's Medicare data shows a focused knee replacement practice with 18 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Beyond general orthopedic surgery, Dr. Behr holds additional credentials in Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgery, reflecting subspecialty training that may benefit patients with complex joint conditions.
San Diego is home to 31 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the San Diego area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Behr extend back to 2013, covering 7 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 13 to 18 in the most recent data, a 38% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Dr. Behr's 18 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,612 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 18 |
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. 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. Behr Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Behr's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 38% from 13 procedures in 2013 to 18 in the most recent data.
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. Behr
How does Dr. Behr's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Behr has performed 18 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The California average is 68 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Behr ranks #482 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Behr perform?
Dr. Behr's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 18 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Behr 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. Behr 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, which puts Dr. Behr's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 80 procedures against the 18 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. Behr's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Behr's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2013 to 18 in the most recent data, a 38% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 18 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Behr affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Behr is affiliated with Imperial Valley Health - El Centro Hospital, Scripps Mercy Hospital.
How does Dr. Behr compare to other orthopedic surgeons in San Diego?
Among the 31 orthopedic surgeons in San Diego, Dr. Behr ranks #22 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in San Diego has 253 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Behr practices?
Imperial Valley Health - El Centro Hospital (1 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Scripps Mercy 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 San Diego, California
Dr. Behr's 18 Medicare procedures are below the San Diego average of 113. 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. Ameer Elbuluk | 97 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Nguyen | 93 | Knee |
| Dr. Daljeet Sagoo | 88 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Fabi | 87 | 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.