Dr. John Itamura, M.D.
Contact & Location
626-568-9030
Pasadena, CA 91101
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Dr. Itamura performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 92% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #11 of 139 ranked shoulder surgeons in California.
About Dr. Itamura
Practice. Dr. John Itamura is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Pasadena, California. The latest annual CMS data records 74 shoulder replacements. That is #11 in California for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 45 procedures a year to 74, up 64%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 74 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 29. That is #103 nationally.
Local context. Pasadena has 10 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 | 45 |
| 2014 | 46 |
| 2015 | 48 |
| 2016 | 55 |
| 2017 | 57 |
| 2018 | 69 |
| 2019 | 74 |
| 2020 | 49 |
| 2021 | 77 |
| 2022 | 62 |
| 2023 | 77 |
| 2024 | 74 |
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. Itamura Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Itamura's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 64% from 45 procedures in 2013 to 74 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:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Itamura
How does Dr. Itamura's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Itamura has performed 74 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Itamura ranks #185 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Itamura perform?
Dr. Itamura's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 74 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Itamura with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Itamura ranks #11 in California for shoulder replacement with 74 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 613 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Itamura in Pasadena?
Yes. There are 10 orthopedic surgeons in Pasadena 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. Itamura 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. Itamura's total volume across all insurers at roughly 200 to 260 procedures against the 74 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. Itamura's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Itamura's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 45 procedures in 2013 to 74 in the most recent data, a 64% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 77 procedures in 2021.
Which hospitals is Dr. Itamura affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Itamura is affiliated with Huntington Hospital, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, Adventist Health Bakersfield.
How does Dr. Itamura compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Pasadena?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Pasadena, Dr. Itamura ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Pasadena has 253 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Itamura practices?
Huntington Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Glendale Adventist Medical Center (4 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 Pasadena, California
Dr. Itamura's 74 Medicare procedures are below the Pasadena average of 97. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Pasadena.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Todd Dietrick | 253 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James O'dowd | 108 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Micah Berry | 104 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Timothy Jackson | 64 | Hip |
| Dr. Daniel Laster | 46 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. George Tang | 30 | 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.