Dr. Michael Messina
Contact & Location
303-724-6031
Aurora, CO 80045
Dr. Messina performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 31% of orthopedic surgeons in Colorado, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #37 of 54 ranked shoulder surgeons in Colorado.
About Dr. Messina
Practice. Dr. Michael Messina is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Aurora, Colorado. The latest annual CMS data records 19 shoulder replacements and 18 knee replacements, 37 procedures in all. That is #37 in Colorado for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2010.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2015 to 2024, 5 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 37, up 236%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 19 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Aurora has 11 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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 11 |
| 2016 | 0 | 20 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 12 | 11 |
| 2023 | 28 | 16 |
| 2024 | 18 | 19 |
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 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Messina Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Colorado state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Messina's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 5 years, increasing 236% from 11 procedures in 2015 to 37 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Messina
How does Dr. Messina's procedure volume compare to other Colorado surgeons?
Dr. Messina has performed 37 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Colorado average is 64 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Messina ranks #103 out of 169 orthopedic surgeons in Colorado.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Messina perform?
Dr. Messina's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (19 cases) and knee replacement (18 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Messina in Aurora?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in Aurora 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. Messina 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Messina's total volume across all insurers at roughly 120 to 140 procedures against the 37 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. Messina's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Messina's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2015 to 37 in the most recent data, a 236% increase over 5 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 44 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Messina perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Messina's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (19 cases), knee replacement (18 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Messina affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Messina is affiliated with Phoenixville Hospital, Reading Hospital, Pottstown Hospital. Dr. Messina maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Messina compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Aurora?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Aurora, Dr. Messina ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Aurora has 176 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Messina practices?
Phoenixville Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Reading Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Pottstown Hospital (2 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 Aurora, Colorado
Dr. Messina's 37 Medicare procedures are below the Aurora average of 73. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Aurora.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Craig Hogan | 176 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Adam Seidl | 97 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Michael Dayton | 87 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Arthur | 46 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jonathan Bravman | 42 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Jamie Friedman | 27 | 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.