Dr. Dennis Blackburn, D.O.
Contact & Location
805-349-9545
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Dr. Blackburn performs more hip replacement procedures than 67% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #112 of 348 ranked hip surgeons in California.
About Dr. Blackburn
Dr. Dennis Blackburn is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Santa Maria, California. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Blackburn completed 41 hip replacements (#112 in California), 26 shoulder replacements, and 17 knee replacements in the latest annual CMS data, totaling 84 Medicare-verified procedures.
In California, Dr. Blackburn performs near the state average in hip (41 vs 41), near the state average in shoulder (26 vs 31), below the state average in knee (17 vs 47).
Dr. Blackburn performs all three major joint replacement procedures (hip, knee, and shoulder), indicating a broad scope of orthopedic practice. The largest share is hip replacements (41 cases), followed by shoulder replacements (26) and knee replacements (17).
Santa Maria is home to 3 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Santa Maria area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Blackburn extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 56 to 84 in the most recent data, a 50% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Blackburn's 41 verified procedures is near the national average of 36.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 25 | 19 | 12 |
| 2014 | 36 | 21 | 0 |
| 2015 | 30 | 21 | 0 |
| 2016 | 50 | 28 | 12 |
| 2017 | 33 | 22 | 0 |
| 2018 | 43 | 16 | 15 |
| 2019 | 49 | 20 | 16 |
| 2020 | 37 | 13 | 13 |
| 2021 | 48 | 14 | 12 |
| 2022 | 40 | 18 | 0 |
| 2023 | 42 | 21 | 13 |
| 2024 | 41 | 17 | 26 |
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, 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Blackburn Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Blackburn's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 50% from 56 procedures in 2013 to 84 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.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
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. Blackburn
How does Dr. Blackburn's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Blackburn has performed 84 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Blackburn ranks #152 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Blackburn perform?
Dr. Blackburn performs all three major joint replacement procedures: hip replacement (41 cases), shoulder replacement (26 cases), knee replacement (17 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Blackburn in Santa Maria?
Yes. There are 3 orthopedic surgeons in Santa Maria 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. Blackburn 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Blackburn's total volume across all insurers at roughly 260 to 330 procedures against the 84 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. Blackburn's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Blackburn's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 56 procedures in 2013 to 84 in the most recent data, a 50% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 90 procedures in 2016.
Does Dr. Blackburn perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Blackburn's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (41 cases), shoulder replacement (26 cases), knee replacement (17 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Blackburn among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Blackburn affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Blackburn is affiliated with Marian Regional Medical Center.
How does Dr. Blackburn compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Santa Maria?
Among the 3 orthopedic surgeons in Santa Maria, Dr. Blackburn ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Blackburn has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Blackburn practices?
Marian Regional Medical Center (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 Santa Maria, California
Dr. Blackburn's 84 Medicare procedures are above the Santa Maria average of 49. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Santa Maria.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jeffrey Spoo | 35 | Knee |
| Dr. Paul Castello | 27 | 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.