Dr. Gareth Hammond, M.D.
Contact & Location
562-591-4444
Long Beach, CA 90813
Dr. Hammond performs more knee replacement procedures than 48% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #255 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Hammond
Practice. Dr. Gareth Hammond is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Long Beach, California. The latest annual CMS data records 29 knee replacements and 22 shoulder replacements, 51 procedures in all. That is #255 in California for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 33 procedures a year to 51, up 55%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 29 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Long Beach has 5 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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 19 | 14 |
| 2015 | 15 | 17 |
| 2016 | 22 | 18 |
| 2017 | 20 | 18 |
| 2018 | 29 | 17 |
| 2019 | 15 | 21 |
| 2020 | 20 | 26 |
| 2021 | 20 | 21 |
| 2022 | 45 | 13 |
| 2023 | 37 | 25 |
| 2024 | 29 | 22 |
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, 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. Hammond Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hammond's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 55% from 33 procedures in 2014 to 51 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.
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.
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. Hammond
How does Dr. Hammond's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Hammond has performed 51 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. Hammond ranks #266 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hammond perform?
Dr. Hammond's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (29 cases) and shoulder replacement (22 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Hammond in Long Beach?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Long Beach 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. Hammond 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Hammond's total volume across all insurers at roughly 160 to 200 procedures against the 51 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. Hammond's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Hammond's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 33 procedures in 2014 to 51 in the most recent data, a 55% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 62 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Hammond perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Hammond's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (29 cases), shoulder replacement (22 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Hammond affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hammond is affiliated with Animas Surgical Hospital, Llc. Dr. Hammond maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Hammond compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Long Beach?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Long Beach, Dr. Hammond ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Hammond is among the highest-volume surgeons in Long Beach.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Hammond practices?
Animas Surgical Hospital, Llc (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 Long Beach, California
Dr. Hammond's 51 Medicare procedures are below the Long Beach average of 53. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Long Beach.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Albert Tsai | 76 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Peter Kurzweil | 75 | Knee |
| Dr. Shahryar Ahmadi | 34 | Shoulder |
| Dr. William Warden | 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.