Dr. Kevin Howe, M.D.
Contact & Location
707-544-3400
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Dr. Howe performs more knee replacement procedures than 92% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #37 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Howe
Dr. Kevin Howe is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Santa Rosa, California. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Howe performed 120 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#37 in California) and 40 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 160 procedures.
In California, Dr. Howe performs well above the state average in knee (120 vs 47), near the state average in hip (40 vs 41).
Dr. Howe's practice is heavily focused on knee replacement surgery, which accounts for 75% of reported Medicare volume.
Santa Rosa is home to 10 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Santa Rosa area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Howe extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 137 to 160 in the most recent data, a 17% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Howe's 120 verified procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 44 | 93 |
| 2014 | 38 | 102 |
| 2015 | 37 | 135 |
| 2016 | 38 | 111 |
| 2017 | 24 | 81 |
| 2018 | 30 | 98 |
| 2019 | 36 | 86 |
| 2020 | 22 | 72 |
| 2021 | 25 | 91 |
| 2022 | 47 | 113 |
| 2023 | 61 | 139 |
| 2024 | 40 | 120 |
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. Howe Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Howe's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 17% from 137 procedures in 2013 to 160 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.
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.
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. Howe
How does Dr. Howe's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Howe has performed 160 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Howe ranks #61 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Howe perform?
Dr. Howe's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (120 cases) and hip replacement (40 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Howe in Santa Rosa?
Yes. There are 10 orthopedic surgeons in Santa Rosa 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. Howe 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. Howe's total volume across all insurers at roughly 550 to 680 procedures against the 160 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. Howe's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Howe's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 137 procedures in 2013 to 160 in the most recent data, a 17% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 200 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Howe perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Howe's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (120 cases), hip replacement (40 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Howe affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Howe is affiliated with Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital, Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Healdsburg Hospital, Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, Adventist Health St Helena.
How does Dr. Howe compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Santa Rosa?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Santa Rosa, Dr. Howe ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Howe is among the highest-volume surgeons in Santa Rosa.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Howe practices?
Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Healdsburg Hospital (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 Santa Rosa, California
Dr. Howe's 160 Medicare procedures are above the Santa Rosa average of 88. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Santa Rosa.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jeffrey Mulvihill | 180 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Gary Stein | 82 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Steven Smith | 55 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kent Yinger | 55 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Jacob Zipperstein | 48 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Neema Pourtaheri | 38 | 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.