Dr. Ronald Gardner, M.D.
Contact & Location
239-343-3552
Fort Myers, FL 33916
Dr. Gardner performs more knee replacement procedures than 94% of orthopedic surgeons in Florida, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #24 of 406 ranked knee surgeons in Florida.
About Dr. Gardner
Practice. Dr. Ronald Gardner is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Fort Myers, Florida. The latest annual CMS data records 127 knee replacements. That is #24 in Florida for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 39 procedures a year to 127, up 226%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 127 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Fort Myers has 23 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 | 39 |
| 2014 | 24 | 46 |
| 2015 | 17 | 41 |
| 2016 | 29 | 59 |
| 2017 | 34 | 77 |
| 2018 | 18 | 85 |
| 2019 | 0 | 79 |
| 2020 | 24 | 65 |
| 2021 | 22 | 78 |
| 2022 | 13 | 93 |
| 2023 | 13 | 125 |
| 2024 | 0 | 127 |
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. Gardner Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Gardner's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 226% from 39 procedures in 2013 to 127 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Gardner
How does Dr. Gardner's procedure volume compare to other Florida surgeons?
Dr. Gardner has performed 127 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Florida average of 72 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Gardner ranks #85 out of 523 orthopedic surgeons in Florida.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Gardner perform?
Dr. Gardner's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 127 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Gardner in Fort Myers?
Yes. There are 23 orthopedic surgeons in Fort Myers 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. Gardner 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. Gardner's total volume across all insurers at roughly 450 to 550 procedures against the 127 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. Gardner's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Gardner's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 39 procedures in 2013 to 127 in the most recent data, a 226% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 138 procedures in 2023.
Which hospitals is Dr. Gardner affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Gardner is affiliated with Lee Memorial Hospital, Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, Hendry Regional Medical Center, Hca Florida Lehigh Hospital.
How does Dr. Gardner compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Fort Myers?
Among the 23 orthopedic surgeons in Fort Myers, Dr. Gardner ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Fort Myers has 378 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Gardner practices?
Lee Memorial Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Cape Coral Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Gulf Coast Medical Center (4 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 Fort Myers, Florida
Dr. Gardner's 127 Medicare procedures are below the Fort Myers average of 164. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Fort Myers.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Edward Humbert | 378 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. William Stone | 179 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Eichten | 169 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. John Mehalik | 110 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Michael Jugan | 94 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Charles Springer | 90 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
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.