Dr. Stephen Gardner, M.D.
Contact & Location
949-348-4000
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Dr. Gardner performs more knee replacement procedures than 49% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #250 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Gardner
Practice. Dr. Stephen Gardner is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Mission Viejo, California. The latest annual CMS data records 31 knee replacements, 16 shoulder replacements, and 14 hip replacements, 61 procedures in all. That is #250 in California for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2020 to 2024, 5 years. Volume rose from 25 procedures a year to 61, up 144%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 31 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Mission Viejo has 5 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 12 | 13 | 0 |
| 2021 | 17 | 12 | 0 |
| 2022 | 18 | 27 | 11 |
| 2023 | 20 | 25 | 15 |
| 2024 | 14 | 31 | 16 |
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, 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Gardner Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Gardner's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 5 years, increasing 144% from 25 procedures in 2020 to 61 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.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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. Gardner
How does Dr. Gardner's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Gardner has performed 61 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Gardner ranks #232 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Gardner perform?
Dr. Gardner performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (31 cases), shoulder replacement (16 cases), hip replacement (14 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Gardner in Mission Viejo?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Mission Viejo 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. Gardner 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Gardner's total volume across all insurers at roughly 200 to 250 procedures against the 61 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. Gardner's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Gardner's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 25 procedures in 2020 to 61 in the most recent data, a 144% increase over 5 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 61 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Gardner perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Gardner's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (31 cases), shoulder replacement (16 cases), hip replacement (14 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Gardner among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Gardner affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Gardner is affiliated with Providence Mission Hospital.
How does Dr. Gardner compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Mission Viejo?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Mission Viejo, Dr. Gardner ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Mission Viejo has 211 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Gardner practices?
Providence Mission Hospital (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 Mission Viejo, California
Dr. Gardner's 61 Medicare procedures are below the Mission Viejo average of 96. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Mission Viejo.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Samuel Park | 211 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Chen | 110 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Marandola | 77 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kent Marangi | 21 | 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.