Dr. Karl Christoffersen, MD
Contact & Location
831-477-2325
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
Dr. Christoffersen performs more knee replacement procedures than 69% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #151 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Christoffersen
Dr. Karl Christoffersen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Santa Cruz, California. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Christoffersen performed 48 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#151 in California) and 32 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 80 procedures.
In California, Dr. Christoffersen performs near the state average in knee (48 vs 47), below the state average in hip (32 vs 41).
Dr. Christoffersen's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (48 cases) and hip replacements (32 cases).
Dr. Christoffersen is the only orthopedic surgeon in Santa Cruz represented in the current Medicare dataset, serving as the primary local option for patients considering joint replacement surgery in the area.
Medicare records for Dr. Christoffersen extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 56 to 80 in the most recent data, a 43% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Christoffersen's 48 verified procedures is near the national average of 45.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | 37 |
| 2014 | 23 | 32 |
| 2015 | 25 | 46 |
| 2016 | 27 | 45 |
| 2017 | 27 | 41 |
| 2018 | 18 | 34 |
| 2019 | 33 | 42 |
| 2020 | 26 | 26 |
| 2021 | 30 | 25 |
| 2022 | 32 | 49 |
| 2023 | 28 | 58 |
| 2024 | 32 | 48 |
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, 25% to 33% for hip 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. Christoffersen Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Christoffersen's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 43% from 56 procedures in 2013 to 80 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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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.
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. Christoffersen
How does Dr. Christoffersen's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Christoffersen has performed 80 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Christoffersen ranks #162 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Christoffersen perform?
Dr. Christoffersen's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (48 cases) and hip replacement (32 cases).
Where is Dr. Christoffersen's practice located?
Dr. Christoffersen practices in Santa Cruz, California. The office is located at 2907 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95065. Patients in the surrounding area can consult Dr. Christoffersen for joint replacement evaluation.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Christoffersen 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, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Christoffersen's total volume across all insurers at roughly 270 to 340 procedures against the 80 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. Christoffersen's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Christoffersen's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 56 procedures in 2013 to 80 in the most recent data, a 43% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 86 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Christoffersen perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Christoffersen's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (48 cases), hip replacement (32 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Christoffersen affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Christoffersen is affiliated with Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center Of Santa Cruz, Dominican Hospital.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Christoffersen practices?
Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center Of Santa Cruz (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Dominican Hospital (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.
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.