Dr. Christopher Urband, M.D.
Contact & Location
858-705-6130
San Diego, CA 92128
La Jolla, CA 92037
Dr. Urband performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 16% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #116 of 139 ranked shoulder surgeons in California.
About Dr. Urband
Practice. Dr. Christopher Urband is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in San Diego, California. The latest annual CMS data records 13 shoulder replacements. That is #116 in California for shoulder replacement. Dr. Urband also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2011.
Trend. Dr. Urband first appears in the Medicare data in 2024. With 1 year on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 13 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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 1 year: 13 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 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. Urband 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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.
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. Urband
How does Dr. Urband's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Urband has performed 13 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. Urband ranks #567 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Urband perform?
Dr. Urband's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 13 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Urband 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. Urband 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. Urband's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 40 procedures against the 13 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Urband affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Urband is affiliated with Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, Scripps Green Hospital, Palomar Health Downtown Campus, Palomar Medical Center Poway.
How does Dr. Urband compare to other orthopedic surgeons in San Diego?
Among the 31 orthopedic surgeons in San Diego, Dr. Urband ranks #31 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. Urband practices?
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Scripps Green Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate better than national average); Palomar Health Downtown Campus (2 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. Urband's 13 Medicare procedures are below the San Diego average of 112. 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.