Dr. Thomas Seales, M.D.
Contact & Location
850-863-2153
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
About Dr. Seales
Dr. Thomas Seales is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. A Medicare provider since 2012, Dr. Seales performed 72 Medicare-verified hip replacements (#44 in Florida) and 65 knee replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 137 procedures.
In Florida, Dr. Seales performs above the state average in hip (72 vs 40), above the state average in knee (65 vs 48).
Dr. Seales's reported Medicare volume is split between hip replacements (72 cases) and knee replacements (65 cases).
Fort Walton Beach is home to 6 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Fort Walton Beach area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Seales extend back to 2017, covering 8 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 40 to 137 in the most recent data, a 242% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 4,532 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Seales's 72 verified procedures is more than 2x the national average of 36.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 24 | 16 |
| 2018 | 57 | 44 |
| 2019 | 35 | 18 |
| 2020 | 50 | 37 |
| 2021 | 74 | 40 |
| 2022 | 72 | 72 |
| 2023 | 89 | 75 |
| 2024 | 72 | 65 |
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Seales Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Seales's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 242% from 40 procedures in 2017 to 137 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.
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.
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. Seales
How does Dr. Seales's procedure volume compare to other Florida surgeons?
Dr. Seales has performed 137 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Florida average of 72 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Seales ranks #73 out of 523 orthopedic surgeons in Florida.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Seales perform?
Dr. Seales's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (72 cases) and knee replacement (65 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Seales in Fort Walton Beach?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Fort Walton Beach 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. Seales represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Seales's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 137 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Seales's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Seales's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 40 procedures in 2017 to 137 in the most recent data, a 242% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 164 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Seales perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Seales's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (72 cases), knee replacement (65 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Seales affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Seales is affiliated with Sacred Heart Hospital On The Emerald Coast, Hca Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, Hca Florida Twin Cities Hospital, North Okaloosa Medical Center.
How does Dr. Seales compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Fort Walton Beach?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Fort Walton Beach, Dr. Seales ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Seales is among the highest-volume surgeons in Fort Walton Beach.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Seales practices?
Sacred Heart Hospital On The Emerald Coast (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Hca Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Hca Florida Twin Cities 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 Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Dr. Seales's 137 Medicare procedures are above the Fort Walton Beach average of 88. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Fort Walton Beach.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Matthew Mai | 189 | Hip |
| Dr. Mark Tenholder | 94 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Dean | 67 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. James Watt | 32 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Leo Chen | 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.