Dr. Joel Malin, M.D.
Contact & Location
203-337-2600
Fairfield, CT 06825
Dr. Malin performs more hip replacement procedures than 30% of orthopedic surgeons in Connecticut, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #36 of 52 ranked hip surgeons in Connecticut.
About Dr. Malin
Practice. Dr. Joel Malin is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Fairfield, Connecticut. The latest annual CMS data records 19 knee replacements and 19 hip replacements, 38 procedures in all. That is #47 in Connecticut for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 69 in 2017 and stands at 38 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 19 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Fairfield has 4 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 | 15 | 35 |
| 2014 | 19 | 23 |
| 2015 | 19 | 29 |
| 2016 | 18 | 33 |
| 2017 | 32 | 37 |
| 2018 | 16 | 27 |
| 2019 | 16 | 20 |
| 2020 | 23 | 29 |
| 2021 | 22 | 26 |
| 2022 | 25 | 20 |
| 2023 | 35 | 28 |
| 2024 | 19 | 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 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. Malin Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Connecticut state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Malin's recorded volume peaked at 69 procedures in 2017 and stood at 38 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
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.
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. Malin
How does Dr. Malin's procedure volume compare to other Connecticut surgeons?
Dr. Malin has performed 38 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Connecticut average is 49 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Malin ranks #48 out of 94 orthopedic surgeons in Connecticut.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Malin perform?
Dr. Malin's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (19 cases) and hip replacement (19 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Malin in Fairfield?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Fairfield 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 Connecticut surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Malin 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. Malin's total volume across all insurers at roughly 130 to 160 procedures against the 38 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. Malin's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Malin's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 69 procedures in 2017 and was 38 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Does Dr. Malin perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Malin's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (19 cases), hip replacement (19 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Malin affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Malin is affiliated with St Vincent'S Medical Center, Bridgeport Hospital.
How does Dr. Malin compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Fairfield?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Fairfield, Dr. Malin ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Malin has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Malin practices?
St Vincent'S Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Bridgeport Hospital (3 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 Fairfield, Connecticut
Dr. Malin's 38 Medicare procedures are above the Fairfield average of 27. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Fairfield.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Todd Morrison | 28 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Dante Brittis | 28 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Adam Driesman | 13 | 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.