Dr. Samuel Hu, M.D.
Contact & Location
916-733-3333
Sacramento, CA 95816
Dr. Hu performs more knee replacement procedures than 66% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #166 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Hu
Dr. Samuel Hu is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Sacramento, California. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Hu performed 45 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#166 in California) and 19 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 64 procedures.
In California, Dr. Hu performs near the state average in knee (45 vs 47), below the state average in hip (19 vs 41).
Dr. Hu's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (45 cases) and hip replacements (19 cases).
Sacramento is home to 28 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Sacramento area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Hu extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 27 to 64 in the most recent data, a 137% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Hu's 45 verified procedures is near the national average of 45.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 11 | 16 |
| 2014 | 16 | 18 |
| 2015 | 16 | 25 |
| 2016 | 17 | 12 |
| 2017 | 0 | 25 |
| 2018 | 18 | 44 |
| 2019 | 29 | 33 |
| 2020 | 23 | 28 |
| 2021 | 15 | 34 |
| 2022 | 23 | 30 |
| 2023 | 13 | 27 |
| 2024 | 19 | 45 |
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. Hu Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hu's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 137% from 27 procedures in 2013 to 64 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.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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. Hu
How does Dr. Hu's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Hu has performed 64 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Hu ranks #216 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hu perform?
Dr. Hu's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (45 cases) and hip replacement (19 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Hu in Sacramento?
Yes. There are 28 orthopedic surgeons in Sacramento 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. Hu 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. Hu's total volume across all insurers at roughly 220 to 270 procedures against the 64 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. Hu's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Hu's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 27 procedures in 2013 to 64 in the most recent data, a 137% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 64 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Hu perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Hu's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (45 cases), hip replacement (19 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Hu affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hu is affiliated with Mercy General Hospital, Methodist Hospital Of Sacramento, Mercy Hospital Of Folsom.
How does Dr. Hu compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Sacramento?
Among the 28 orthopedic surgeons in Sacramento, Dr. Hu ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Sacramento has 147 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Hu practices?
Mercy General Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Methodist Hospital Of Sacramento (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Mercy Hospital Of Folsom (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 Sacramento, California
Dr. Hu's 64 Medicare procedures are below the Sacramento average of 89. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Sacramento.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Stephen Howell | 147 | Knee |
| Dr. John Meehan | 104 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mauro Giordani | 85 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Tai | 80 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Adam Taylor | 77 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Tweet | 63 | 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.