Dr. Clifford Clark, M.D.
Contact & Location
970-493-0112
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Dr. Clark performs more hip replacement procedures than 98% of orthopedic surgeons in Colorado, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #1 of 92 ranked hip surgeons in Colorado.
About Dr. Clark
Practice. Dr. Clifford Clark is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Fort Collins, Colorado. The latest annual CMS data records 159 hip replacements and 123 knee replacements, 282 procedures in all. That is #1 in Colorado for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 183 procedures a year to 282, up 54%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 159 procedures is more than 4x the national average of 36. That is #21 nationally.
Local context. Fort Collins has 10 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 | 126 | 57 |
| 2014 | 123 | 35 |
| 2015 | 149 | 72 |
| 2016 | 198 | 138 |
| 2017 | 203 | 101 |
| 2018 | 234 | 107 |
| 2019 | 197 | 116 |
| 2020 | 186 | 92 |
| 2021 | 187 | 118 |
| 2022 | 222 | 137 |
| 2023 | 183 | 138 |
| 2024 | 159 | 123 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 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. Clark Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Colorado state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Clark's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 54% from 183 procedures in 2013 to 282 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Clark
How does Dr. Clark's procedure volume compare to other Colorado surgeons?
Dr. Clark has performed 282 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 4x the Colorado average of 64 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Clark ranks #2 out of 169 orthopedic surgeons in Colorado.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Clark perform?
Dr. Clark's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (159 cases) and knee replacement (123 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Clark with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Clark ranks #1 in Colorado for hip replacement with 159 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 169 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Clark in Fort Collins?
Yes. There are 10 orthopedic surgeons in Fort Collins 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 Colorado surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Clark 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Clark's total volume across all insurers at roughly 920 to 1,170 procedures against the 282 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. Clark's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Clark's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 183 procedures in 2013 to 282 in the most recent data, a 54% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 359 procedures in 2022.
Does Dr. Clark perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Clark's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (159 cases), knee replacement (123 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Clark affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Clark is affiliated with Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center Of The Rockies, Uchealth Greeley Hospital, Sterling Regional Medcenter, Yuma District Hospital.
How does Dr. Clark compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Fort Collins?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Fort Collins, Dr. Clark ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Clark is among the highest-volume surgeons in Fort Collins.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Clark practices?
Poudre Valley Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Medical Center Of The Rockies (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Uchealth Greeley Hospital (3 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 Fort Collins, Colorado
Dr. Clark's 282 Medicare procedures are above the Fort Collins average of 190. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Fort Collins.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Kirk Kindsfater | 364 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Riley Hale | 255 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Rocci Trumper | 128 | Knee |
| Dr. Sean Grey | 123 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Scott Galey | 121 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ryan Hartman | 56 | Knee, 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.