Dr. Nathan Cafferky, M.D.
Contact & Location
970-668-3633
Frisco, CO 80443
Dr. Cafferky performs more knee replacement procedures than 98% of orthopedic surgeons in Colorado, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #2 of 118 ranked knee surgeons in Colorado.
About Dr. Cafferky
Practice. Dr. Nathan Cafferky is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Frisco, Colorado. The latest annual CMS data records 172 knee replacements and 85 hip replacements, 257 procedures in all. That is #2 in Colorado for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2008.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2015 to 2024, 10 years. Volume rose from 37 procedures a year to 257, up 595%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 172 procedures is more than 3x the national average of 45. That is #107 nationally.
Local context. Frisco has 3 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 | 23 | 14 |
| 2016 | 16 | 28 |
| 2017 | 27 | 44 |
| 2018 | 43 | 58 |
| 2019 | 42 | 67 |
| 2020 | 62 | 103 |
| 2021 | 52 | 114 |
| 2022 | 62 | 160 |
| 2023 | 65 | 124 |
| 2024 | 85 | 172 |
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. Cafferky Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Colorado state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Cafferky's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 10 years, increasing 595% from 37 procedures in 2015 to 257 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.
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. Cafferky
How does Dr. Cafferky's procedure volume compare to other Colorado surgeons?
Dr. Cafferky has performed 257 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 4x the Colorado average of 64 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Cafferky ranks #3 out of 169 orthopedic surgeons in Colorado.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Cafferky perform?
Dr. Cafferky's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (172 cases) and hip replacement (85 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Cafferky with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Cafferky ranks #2 in Colorado for knee replacement with 172 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 169 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Cafferky in Frisco?
Yes. There are 3 orthopedic surgeons in Frisco 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. Cafferky 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. Cafferky's total volume across all insurers at roughly 870 to 1,090 procedures against the 257 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. Cafferky's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Cafferky's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 37 procedures in 2015 to 257 in the most recent data, a 595% increase over 10 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 257 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Cafferky perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Cafferky's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (172 cases), hip replacement (85 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Cafferky affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Cafferky is affiliated with Vail Health Hospital, Heart Of The Rockies Regional Medical Center, Montrose Regional Health, Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, Gunnison Valley Hospital.
How does Dr. Cafferky compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Frisco?
Among the 3 orthopedic surgeons in Frisco, Dr. Cafferky ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Cafferky has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Cafferky practices?
Vail Health Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Heart Of The Rockies Regional Medical Center (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Montrose Regional Health (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 Frisco, Colorado
Dr. Cafferky's 257 Medicare procedures are above the Frisco average of 159. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Frisco.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Henry Yu | 149 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Max Seiter | 71 | 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.