Dr. Brian Abell, D.O.
Contact & Location
706-722-3401
Augusta, GA 30901
Dr. Abell performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 90% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #5 of 53 ranked shoulder surgeons in Georgia.
About Dr. Abell
Practice. Dr. Brian Abell is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Augusta, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 41 shoulder replacements. That is #5 in Georgia for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2018 to 2024, 7 years. Volume has held between 25 and 46 procedures a year.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 41 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Augusta has 14 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Abell also holds hospital privileges in GA and SC, a practice that extends beyond Georgia.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 38 |
| 2019 | 32 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 46 |
| 2024 | 41 |
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 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Abell Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Abell's procedure volume has been consistent across 7 years of Medicare data, ranging from 25 to 46 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Abell
How does Dr. Abell's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?
Dr. Abell has performed 41 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Georgia average is 55 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Abell ranks #118 out of 245 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Abell perform?
Dr. Abell's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 41 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Abell with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Abell ranks #5 in Georgia for shoulder replacement with 41 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 245 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Abell in Augusta?
Yes. There are 14 orthopedic surgeons in Augusta 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 Georgia surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Abell 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Abell's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 140 procedures against the 41 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. Abell's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Abell's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 7 years of Medicare data, ranging from 25 to 46 procedures per year between 2018 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Which hospitals is Dr. Abell affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Abell is affiliated with Burke Medical Center, Piedmont Augusta Hospital, Self Regional Healthcare. Dr. Abell maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Abell compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Augusta?
Among the 14 orthopedic surgeons in Augusta, Dr. Abell ranks #8 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Augusta has 194 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Abell practices?
Burke Medical Center (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Piedmont Augusta Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Self Regional Healthcare (3 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 Augusta, Georgia
Dr. Abell's 41 Medicare procedures are below the Augusta average of 105. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Augusta.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Terry Arrington | 194 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Randall Meredith | 192 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Franklin | 113 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Raley | 68 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nicholas Capito | 67 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Douglas Phillips | 61 | 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.