Dr. Seth Criner, D.O.
Contact & Location
559-733-3346
Visalia, CA 93277
About Dr. Criner
Dr. Seth Criner is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Visalia, California. A Medicare provider since 2010, Dr. Criner completed 37 knee replacements (#209 in California), 36 shoulder replacements, and 12 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, totaling 85 Medicare-verified procedures.
In California, Dr. Criner performs below the state average in knee (37 vs 47), near the state average in shoulder (36 vs 31), below the state average in hip (12 vs 41).
Dr. Criner performs all three major joint replacement procedures — hip, knee, and shoulder — indicating a broad scope of orthopedic practice. The largest share is knee replacements (37 cases), followed by shoulder replacements (36) and hip replacements (12).
Beyond general orthopedic surgery, Dr. Criner holds additional credentials in Orthopaedic Trauma, reflecting subspecialty training that may benefit patients with complex joint conditions.
Visalia is home to 9 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Visalia area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Criner extend back to 2017, covering 8 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 13 to 85 in the most recent data, a 554% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,599 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Criner's 37 verified procedures is near the national average of 45.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 35 | 11 |
| 2020 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| 2021 | 11 | 24 | 13 |
| 2022 | 11 | 28 | 14 |
| 2023 | 0 | 26 | 21 |
| 2024 | 12 | 37 | 36 |
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Criner Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Criner's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 554% from 13 procedures in 2017 to 85 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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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.
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. Criner
How does Dr. Criner's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Criner has performed 85 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Criner ranks #149 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Criner perform?
Dr. Criner performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (37 cases), shoulder replacement (36 cases), hip replacement (12 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Criner in Visalia?
Yes. There are 9 orthopedic surgeons in Visalia 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. Criner represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Criner's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 85 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Criner's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Criner's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2017 to 85 in the most recent data, a 554% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 85 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Criner perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Criner's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (37 cases), shoulder replacement (36 cases), hip replacement (12 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Criner among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Criner affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Criner is affiliated with Kaweah Health Medical Center, Sierra View Medical Center.
How does Dr. Criner compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Visalia?
Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in Visalia, Dr. Criner ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Criner is among the highest-volume surgeons in Visalia.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Criner practices?
Kaweah Health Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Sierra View Medical Center (2 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 Visalia, California
Dr. Criner's 85 Medicare procedures are above the Visalia average of 66. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Visalia.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Ian Duncan | 102 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Burton Redd | 94 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Bruce Le | 73 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Benjamin Hendy | 37 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Jun Kim | 36 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Timothy Tan | 32 | Knee |
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.