Dr. Colin Eakin, M.D.
Contact & Location
650-321-4121
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Dr. Eakin performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 79% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #29 of 139 ranked shoulder surgeons in California.
About Dr. Eakin
Practice. Dr. Colin Eakin is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Palo Alto, California. The latest annual CMS data records 40 shoulder replacements. That is #29 in California for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2015 to 2024, 10 years. Volume peaked at 71 in 2023 and stands at 40 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 40 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Palo Alto has 4 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 28 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2018 | 39 |
| 2019 | 40 |
| 2020 | 41 |
| 2021 | 59 |
| 2022 | 53 |
| 2023 | 71 |
| 2024 | 40 |
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. Eakin Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Eakin's recorded volume peaked at 71 procedures in 2023 and stood at 40 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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:
A 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.
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. Eakin
How does Dr. Eakin's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Eakin has performed 40 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. Eakin ranks #327 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Eakin perform?
Dr. Eakin's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 40 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Eakin in Palo Alto?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Palo Alto 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. Eakin 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. Eakin's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 140 procedures against the 40 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. Eakin's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Eakin's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 71 procedures in 2023 and was 40 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Which hospitals is Dr. Eakin affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Eakin is affiliated with Sequoia Hospital, Mills-Peninsula Medical Center.
How does Dr. Eakin compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Palo Alto?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Palo Alto, Dr. Eakin ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Eakin is among the highest-volume surgeons in Palo Alto.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Eakin practices?
Sequoia Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Mills-Peninsula Medical Center (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 Palo Alto, California
Dr. Eakin's 40 Medicare procedures are below the Palo Alto average of 103. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Palo Alto.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. James Hartford | 198 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Bradley Graw | 139 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Lannin | 36 | 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.