Dr. Stephen Howell, M.D.
Contact & Location
916-689-7370
Sacramento, CA 95823
Dr. Howell performs more knee replacement procedures than 95% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #21 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Howell
Practice. Dr. Stephen Howell is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Sacramento, California. The latest annual CMS data records 147 knee replacements. That is #21 in California for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 276 in 2019 and stands at 147 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 147 procedures is more than 3x the national average of 45. That is #187 nationally.
Local context. Sacramento has 28 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 260 |
| 2014 | 18 | 237 |
| 2015 | 0 | 242 |
| 2016 | 0 | 262 |
| 2017 | 0 | 272 |
| 2018 | 0 | 269 |
| 2019 | 0 | 276 |
| 2020 | 0 | 186 |
| 2021 | 0 | 216 |
| 2022 | 0 | 195 |
| 2023 | 0 | 220 |
| 2024 | 0 | 147 |
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. 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. Howell Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Howell's recorded volume peaked at 276 procedures in 2019 and stood at 147 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Howell
How does Dr. Howell's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Howell has performed 147 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Howell ranks #72 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Howell perform?
Dr. Howell's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 147 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Howell 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. Howell 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, which puts Dr. Howell's total volume across all insurers at roughly 530 to 640 procedures against the 147 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. Howell's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Howell's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 276 procedures in 2019 and was 147 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Which hospitals is Dr. Howell affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Howell is affiliated with Adventist Health Lodi Memorial, Sutter Amador Hospital, Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, Sutter Roseville Medical Center.
How does Dr. Howell compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Sacramento?
Among the 28 orthopedic surgeons in Sacramento, Dr. Howell ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Howell has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Howell practices?
Adventist Health Lodi Memorial (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Sutter Amador Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento (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. Howell's 147 Medicare procedures are above the Sacramento average of 89. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Sacramento.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Samuel Hu | 64 | 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.