Dr. Vishal Hegde, M.D.
Contact & Location
650-853-3355
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Dr. Hegde performs more knee replacement procedures than 78% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #105 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Hegde
Practice. Dr. Vishal Hegde is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Los Angeles, California. The latest annual CMS data records 63 knee replacements and 34 hip replacements, 97 procedures in all. That is #105 in California for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2013.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2019 to 2024, 5 years. Volume rose from 27 procedures a year to 97, up 259%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 63 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Los Angeles has 34 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 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 13 | 14 |
| 2020 | 23 | 27 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 25 | 31 |
| 2023 | 38 | 45 |
| 2024 | 34 | 63 |
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. Hegde Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hegde's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 5 years, increasing 259% from 27 procedures in 2019 to 97 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. Hegde
How does Dr. Hegde's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Hegde has performed 97 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Hegde ranks #121 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hegde perform?
Dr. Hegde's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (63 cases) and hip replacement (34 cases).
Where is Dr. Hegde's practice located?
Dr. Hegde's current practice address is in Palo Alto, CA. That address is the current practice address in Dr. Hegde's own CMS NPPES registry entry, which providers maintain themselves. The Medicare claims data used for the rankings on this page was billed from Los Angeles, California.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Hegde 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. Hegde's total volume across all insurers at roughly 330 to 410 procedures against the 97 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. Hegde's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Hegde's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 27 procedures in 2019 to 97 in the most recent data, a 259% increase over 5 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 97 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Hegde perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Hegde's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (63 cases), hip replacement (34 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Hegde affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hegde is affiliated with Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, The. Dr. Hegde maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Hegde compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Los Angeles?
Among the 34 orthopedic surgeons in Los Angeles, Dr. Hegde ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Los Angeles has 211 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Hegde practices?
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Johns Hopkins Hospital, The (4 out of 5 CMS stars, 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 Los Angeles, California
Dr. Hegde's 97 Medicare procedures are below the Los Angeles average of 113. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Los Angeles.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. John Tiberi | 211 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Daniel Oakes | 192 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Micah Adamson | 98 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Andrew Spitzer | 71 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Adam Sassoon | 62 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nathanael Heckmann | 57 | Hip, 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.