Dr. Donald Lao, D.O.
Contact & Location
719-776-7846
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Dr. Lao performs more hip replacement procedures than 75% of orthopedic surgeons in Colorado, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #23 of 92 ranked hip surgeons in Colorado.
About Dr. Lao
Practice. Dr. Donald Lao is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The latest annual CMS data records 49 hip replacements and 30 knee replacements, 79 procedures in all. That is #23 in Colorado for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2017.
Trend. Dr. Lao first appears in the Medicare data in 2023. With 2 years on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 49 procedures is above the national average of 36.
Local context. Colorado Springs has 19 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 17 procedures in 2023 and 79 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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. Lao Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Colorado state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Lao has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2023. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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.
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 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. Lao
How does Dr. Lao's procedure volume compare to other Colorado surgeons?
Dr. Lao has performed 79 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Colorado average of 64 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Lao ranks #48 out of 169 orthopedic surgeons in Colorado.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Lao perform?
Dr. Lao's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (49 cases) and knee replacement (30 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Lao in Colorado Springs?
Yes. There are 19 orthopedic surgeons in Colorado Springs 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. Lao 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. Lao's total volume across all insurers at roughly 260 to 330 procedures against the 79 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.
Does Dr. Lao perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Lao's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (49 cases), knee replacement (30 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Lao affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Lao is affiliated with St Francis Hospital - Interquest, Penrose Hospital.
How does Dr. Lao compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Colorado Springs?
Among the 19 orthopedic surgeons in Colorado Springs, Dr. Lao ranks #8 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Colorado Springs has 216 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Lao practices?
St Francis Hospital - Interquest (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Penrose 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 Colorado Springs, Colorado
Dr. Lao's 79 Medicare procedures are below the Colorado Springs average of 134. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Colorado Springs.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Eric Jepson | 216 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Feign | 163 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Howarth | 146 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jordan Schaeffer | 130 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Weinstein | 119 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Derek Purcell | 87 | 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.