Dr. Christopher Birch, M.D.
Contact & Location
805-963-9377
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Dr. Birch performs more hip replacement procedures than 90% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #32 of 348 ranked hip surgeons in California.
About Dr. Birch
Practice. Dr. Christopher Birch is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Santa Barbara, California. The latest annual CMS data records 88 knee replacements and 88 hip replacements, 176 procedures in all. That is #63 in California for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2012.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2019 to 2024, 6 years. Volume rose from 116 procedures a year to 176, up 52%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 88 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 36.
Local context. Santa Barbara has 13 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 86 | 30 |
| 2020 | 64 | 55 |
| 2021 | 79 | 61 |
| 2022 | 94 | 86 |
| 2023 | 111 | 103 |
| 2024 | 88 | 88 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 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. Birch Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Birch's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 6 years, increasing 52% from 116 procedures in 2019 to 176 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Birch
How does Dr. Birch's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Birch has performed 176 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Birch ranks #52 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Birch perform?
Dr. Birch's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (88 cases) and hip replacement (88 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Birch in Santa Barbara?
Yes. There are 13 orthopedic surgeons in Santa Barbara 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. Birch 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Birch's total volume across all insurers at roughly 580 to 730 procedures against the 176 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. Birch's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Birch's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 116 procedures in 2019 to 176 in the most recent data, a 52% increase over 6 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 214 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Birch perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Birch's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (88 cases), hip replacement (88 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Birch affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Birch is affiliated with Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital, Lompoc Valley Medical Center, Marian Regional Medical Center.
How does Dr. Birch compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Santa Barbara?
Among the 13 orthopedic surgeons in Santa Barbara, Dr. Birch ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Birch is among the highest-volume surgeons in Santa Barbara.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Birch practices?
Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (5 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 Santa Barbara, California
Dr. Birch's 176 Medicare procedures are above the Santa Barbara average of 137. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Santa Barbara.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Bryan Emmerson | 226 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Gallivan | 208 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Graham Hurvitz | 164 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. James Zmolek | 83 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Daniel Craviotto | 61 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Steven Hollstien | 44 | 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.