Dr. William Howarth, M.D.
Contact & Location
719-776-3750
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Usaf Academy, CO 80840
Dr. Howarth performs more hip replacement procedures than 90% of orthopedic surgeons in Colorado, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #9 of 92 ranked hip surgeons in Colorado.
About Dr. Howarth
Practice. Dr. William Howarth is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The latest annual CMS data records 77 hip replacements and 69 knee replacements, 146 procedures in all. That is #9 in Colorado for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2008.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2019 to 2024, 6 years. Volume rose from 76 procedures a year to 146, up 92%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 77 procedures is more than 2x 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 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 | 37 | 39 |
| 2020 | 33 | 48 |
| 2021 | 47 | 18 |
| 2022 | 73 | 50 |
| 2023 | 85 | 81 |
| 2024 | 77 | 69 |
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. Howarth Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Colorado state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Howarth's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 6 years, increasing 92% from 76 procedures in 2019 to 146 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Howarth
How does Dr. Howarth's procedure volume compare to other Colorado surgeons?
Dr. Howarth has performed 146 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Colorado average of 64 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Howarth ranks #13 out of 169 orthopedic surgeons in Colorado.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Howarth perform?
Dr. Howarth's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (77 cases) and knee replacement (69 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Howarth with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Howarth ranks #9 in Colorado for hip replacement with 77 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 169 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Howarth 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. Howarth 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. Howarth's total volume across all insurers at roughly 480 to 610 procedures against the 146 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. Howarth's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Howarth's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 76 procedures in 2019 to 146 in the most recent data, a 92% increase over 6 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 166 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Howarth perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Howarth's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (77 cases), knee replacement (69 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Howarth affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Howarth is affiliated with St Francis Hospital - Interquest, Penrose Hospital, Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, University Colo Health Memorial Hospital Central.
How does Dr. Howarth compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Colorado Springs?
Among the 19 orthopedic surgeons in Colorado Springs, Dr. Howarth ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Howarth is among the highest-volume surgeons in Colorado Springs.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Howarth 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); Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center (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 Colorado Springs, Colorado
Dr. Howarth's 146 Medicare procedures are above the Colorado Springs average of 135. 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. Jordan Schaeffer | 130 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Weinstein | 119 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Derek Purcell | 87 | Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Kluk | 84 | Hip, 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.