Dr. Robert Sterling, M.D.
Contact & Location
202-741-3200
Washington, DC 20037
Baltimore, MD 21201
About Dr. Sterling
Dr. Robert Sterling is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Washington, District of Columbia. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Sterling performed 21 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#9 in District of Columbia) and 16 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 37 procedures.
In District of Columbia, Dr. Sterling performs below the state average in knee (21 vs 33), below the state average in hip (16 vs 38).
Dr. Sterling's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (21 cases) and hip replacements (16 cases).
Beyond general orthopedic surgery, Dr. Sterling holds additional credentials in Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgery and Hand Surgery and Orthopaedic Surgery of the Spine and Foot and Ankle Surgery and Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Trauma, reflecting subspecialty training that may benefit patients with complex joint conditions.
Washington is home to 16 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Washington area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Sterling's Medicare data spans 12 years, beginning in 2013. Volume peaked at 75 procedures in 2018 before settling at 37 in the most recent data. Changes in Medicare reporting, payer mix shifts, or practice focus adjustments can all influence year-to-year volume.
Dr. Sterling's 21 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,612 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 25 | 28 |
| 2014 | 25 | 24 |
| 2015 | 30 | 37 |
| 2016 | 29 | 41 |
| 2017 | 29 | 40 |
| 2018 | 33 | 42 |
| 2019 | 25 | 35 |
| 2020 | 23 | 15 |
| 2021 | 24 | 21 |
| 2022 | 15 | 0 |
| 2023 | 12 | 18 |
| 2024 | 16 | 21 |
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. Sterling Compares
Procedure volume compared to the District of Columbia state average.
See the Top 25 knee replacement surgeons in District of Columbia
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Sterling's recorded volume peaked at 75 procedures in 2018 and stood at 37 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 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.
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.
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. Sterling
How does Dr. Sterling's procedure volume compare to other District of Columbia surgeons?
Dr. Sterling has performed 37 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The District of Columbia average is 58 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Sterling ranks #12 out of 16 orthopedic surgeons in District of Columbia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Sterling perform?
Dr. Sterling's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (21 cases) and hip replacement (16 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Sterling with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Sterling ranks #9 in District of Columbia for knee replacement with 21 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 16 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Sterling in Washington?
Yes. There are 16 orthopedic surgeons in Washington 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 District of Columbia surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Sterling 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. Sterling's total volume across all insurers at roughly 120 to 160 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. Sterling's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Sterling's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 75 procedures in 2018 and was 37 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. Sterling perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Sterling's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (21 cases), hip replacement (16 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Sterling affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Sterling is affiliated with George Washington Univ Hospital.
How does Dr. Sterling compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Washington?
Among the 16 orthopedic surgeons in Washington, Dr. Sterling ranks #12 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Washington has 126 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Sterling practices?
George Washington Univ Hospital (1 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 Washington, District of Columbia
Dr. Sterling's 37 Medicare procedures are below the Washington average of 85. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Washington.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Savyasachi Thakkar | 126 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Anthony Unger | 123 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kenneth Vaz | 92 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Harb | 83 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Afamefuna Nduaguba | 68 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ahamefula Onyike | 66 | Hip, 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.