Dr. James Kelly, M.D.
Contact & Location
415-668-8010
San Francisco, CA 94118
Dr. Kelly performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 91% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #12 of 139 ranked shoulder surgeons in California.
About Dr. Kelly
Practice. Dr. James Kelly is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in San Francisco, California. The latest annual CMS data records 71 shoulder replacements. That is #12 in California for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 37 procedures a year to 71, up 92%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 71 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 29. That is #113 nationally.
Local context. San Francisco has 23 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 | 37 |
| 2014 | 33 |
| 2015 | 48 |
| 2016 | 65 |
| 2017 | 46 |
| 2018 | 83 |
| 2019 | 83 |
| 2020 | 57 |
| 2021 | 54 |
| 2022 | 62 |
| 2023 | 93 |
| 2024 | 71 |
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. Kelly Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Kelly's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 92% from 37 procedures in 2013 to 71 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 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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Kelly
How does Dr. Kelly's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Kelly has performed 71 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Kelly ranks #195 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kelly perform?
Dr. Kelly's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 71 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Kelly with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Kelly ranks #12 in California for shoulder replacement with 71 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 613 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kelly in San Francisco?
Yes. There are 23 orthopedic surgeons in San Francisco 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. Kelly 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. Kelly's total volume across all insurers at roughly 190 to 240 procedures against the 71 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. Kelly's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Kelly's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 37 procedures in 2013 to 71 in the most recent data, a 92% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 93 procedures in 2023.
Which hospitals is Dr. Kelly affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kelly is affiliated with Novato Community Hospital, California Pacific Medical Center - Mission Bernal, Sonoma Valley Hospital, California Pacific Medical Ctr-Davies Campus Hosp, Providence Queen Of The Valley Medical Center.
How does Dr. Kelly compare to other orthopedic surgeons in San Francisco?
Among the 23 orthopedic surgeons in San Francisco, Dr. Kelly ranks #8 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in San Francisco has 201 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Kelly practices?
Novato Community Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); California Pacific Medical Center - Mission Bernal (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Sonoma Valley Hospital (1 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in San Francisco, California
Dr. Kelly's 71 Medicare procedures are below the San Francisco average of 136. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in San Francisco.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jeffrey Barry | 201 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Derek Ward | 190 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Peter Callander | 177 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Erik Hansen | 133 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Cox | 95 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Belzer | 88 | Knee, Shoulder |
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.