Dr. Carlos Higuera Rueda, M.D.
Contact & Location
216-401-1385
Weston, FL 33331
Dr. Higuera Rueda performs more knee replacement procedures than 26% of orthopedic surgeons in Florida, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #299 of 406 ranked knee surgeons in Florida.
About Dr. Higuera Rueda
Practice. Dr. Carlos Higuera Rueda is an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Weston, Florida. The latest annual CMS data records 21 knee replacements. That is #299 in Florida for knee replacement. Dr. Higuera Rueda also holds credentials in Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgery.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 46 in 2017 and stands at 21 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 21 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Weston has 7 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 | 11 | 0 |
| 2014 | 16 | 16 |
| 2015 | 23 | 18 |
| 2016 | 13 | 20 |
| 2017 | 23 | 23 |
| 2018 | 14 | 19 |
| 2019 | 14 | 26 |
| 2020 | 22 | 14 |
| 2021 | 15 | 17 |
| 2022 | 15 | 24 |
| 2023 | 0 | 15 |
| 2024 | 0 | 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. 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. Higuera Rueda Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Higuera Rueda's recorded volume peaked at 46 procedures in 2017 and stood at 21 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.
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.
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. Higuera Rueda
How does Dr. Higuera Rueda's procedure volume compare to other Florida surgeons?
Dr. Higuera Rueda has performed 21 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Florida average is 72 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Higuera Rueda ranks #418 out of 523 orthopedic surgeons in Florida.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Higuera Rueda perform?
Dr. Higuera Rueda's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 21 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Higuera Rueda in Weston?
Yes. There are 7 orthopedic surgeons in Weston 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 Florida surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Higuera Rueda 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, which puts Dr. Higuera Rueda's total volume across all insurers at roughly 80 to 90 procedures against the 21 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. Higuera Rueda's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Higuera Rueda's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 46 procedures in 2017 and was 21 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. Higuera Rueda affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Higuera Rueda is affiliated with Cleveland Clinic Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital.
How does Dr. Higuera Rueda compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Weston?
Among the 7 orthopedic surgeons in Weston, Dr. Higuera Rueda ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Weston has 184 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Higuera Rueda practices?
Cleveland Clinic Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital (2 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 Weston, Florida
Dr. Higuera Rueda's 21 Medicare procedures are below the Weston average of 49. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Weston.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Preetesh Patel | 184 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Garen Collett | 36 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Broggi | 35 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jorge Manrique Succar | 34 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Charles Powell | 18 | Knee |
| Dr. Shawn O'keefe | 18 | 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.