Dr. Thomas Hickernell, M.D.
Contact & Location
203-785-2579
Stamford, CT 06927
Dr. Hickernell performs more hip replacement procedures than 15% of orthopedic surgeons in Connecticut, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #44 of 52 ranked hip surgeons in Connecticut.
About Dr. Hickernell
Practice. Dr. Thomas Hickernell is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Stamford, Connecticut. The latest annual CMS data records 13 hip replacements. That is #44 in Connecticut for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2013.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2018 to 2024, 4 years. Volume peaked at 49 in 2019 and stands at 13 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 13 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Stamford has 5 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 | 14 | 14 |
| 2019 | 21 | 28 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 17 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 13 | 0 |
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. 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. Hickernell Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Connecticut state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hickernell's recorded volume peaked at 49 procedures in 2019 and stood at 13 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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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. Hickernell
How does Dr. Hickernell's procedure volume compare to other Connecticut surgeons?
Dr. Hickernell has performed 13 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. Hickernell ranks #83 out of 94 orthopedic surgeons in Connecticut.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hickernell perform?
Dr. Hickernell's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 13 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Hickernell in Stamford?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Stamford 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. Hickernell 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, which puts Dr. Hickernell's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 13 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. Hickernell's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Hickernell's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 49 procedures in 2019 and was 13 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Hickernell affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hickernell is affiliated with Greenwich Hospital Association -, Bridgeport Hospital.
How does Dr. Hickernell compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Stamford?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Stamford, Dr. Hickernell ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Stamford has 119 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Hickernell practices?
Greenwich Hospital Association - (4 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 Stamford, Connecticut
Dr. Hickernell's 13 Medicare procedures are below the Stamford average of 37. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Stamford.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Sreevathsa Boraiah | 119 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Andrew Grose | 23 | Hip |
| Dr. Corinne Vanbeek | 19 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Peter Hughes | 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.