Dr. Howard Gelb, M.D.
Contact & Location
561-558-8898
Boca Raton, FL 33428
Dr. Gelb performs more knee replacement procedures than 8% of orthopedic surgeons in Florida, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #373 of 406 ranked knee surgeons in Florida.
About Dr. Gelb
Practice. Dr. Howard Gelb is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Boca Raton, Florida. The latest annual CMS data records 14 knee replacements. That is #373 in Florida for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Dr. Gelb first appears in the Medicare data in 2019. With 2 years on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 14 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Boca Raton has 10 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 15 procedures in 2019 and 14 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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. Gelb Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Gelb has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2019. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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. Gelb
How does Dr. Gelb's procedure volume compare to other Florida surgeons?
Dr. Gelb has performed 14 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. Gelb ranks #474 out of 523 orthopedic surgeons in Florida.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Gelb perform?
Dr. Gelb's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 14 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Gelb in Boca Raton?
Yes. There are 10 orthopedic surgeons in Boca Raton 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. Gelb 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. Gelb's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 60 procedures against the 14 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Gelb affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Gelb is affiliated with Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Broward Health Coral Springs, West Boca Medical Center.
How does Dr. Gelb compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Boca Raton?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Boca Raton, Dr. Gelb ranks #8 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Boca Raton has 231 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Gelb practices?
Boca Raton Regional Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Broward Health Coral Springs (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); West Boca Medical Center (2 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 Boca Raton, Florida
Dr. Gelb's 14 Medicare procedures are below the Boca Raton average of 90. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Boca Raton.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jonathan Levy | 231 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Casey Beleckas | 147 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Alexander Gaukhman | 71 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Charlton Stucken | 67 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Charles Toman | 51 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Alan Saperstein | 50 | 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.