Dr. Christopher James, M.D.
Contact & Location
727-201-1007
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Dr. James performs more hip replacement procedures than 65% of orthopedic surgeons in Florida, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #110 of 315 ranked hip surgeons in Florida.
About Dr. James
Practice. Dr. Christopher James is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Palm Harbor, Florida. The latest annual CMS data records 39 hip replacements and 19 knee replacements, 58 procedures in all. That is #110 in Florida for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2014.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2021 to 2024, 4 years. Volume rose from 33 procedures a year to 58, up 76%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 39 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Palm Harbor has 6 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 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 19 | 14 |
| 2022 | 18 | 0 |
| 2023 | 35 | 23 |
| 2024 | 39 | 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. James Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. James's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 4 years, increasing 76% from 33 procedures in 2021 to 58 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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. James
How does Dr. James's procedure volume compare to other Florida surgeons?
Dr. James has performed 58 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Florida average of 72 procedures per surgeon. Dr. James ranks #228 out of 523 orthopedic surgeons in Florida.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. James perform?
Dr. James's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (39 cases) and knee replacement (19 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. James in Palm Harbor?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Palm Harbor 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. James 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. James's total volume across all insurers at roughly 190 to 240 procedures against the 58 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. James's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. James's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 33 procedures in 2021 to 58 in the most recent data, a 76% increase over 4 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 58 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. James perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. James's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (39 cases), knee replacement (19 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. James affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. James is affiliated with Mease Dunedin Hospital, Adventhealth North Pinellas, Mease Countryside Hospital, Morton Plant Hospital.
How does Dr. James compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Palm Harbor?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Palm Harbor, Dr. James ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. James is among the highest-volume surgeons in Palm Harbor.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. James practices?
Mease Dunedin Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Adventhealth North Pinellas (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Mease Countryside Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, 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 Palm Harbor, Florida
Dr. James's 58 Medicare procedures are above the Palm Harbor average of 40. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Palm Harbor.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Zachary Wells | 89 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Sang Choi | 30 | Knee |
| Dr. Scott Brotherton | 27 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Steven Mirabello | 22 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Mark Torke | 11 | 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.