Dr. George McCluskey, M.D.
Contact & Location
706-322-2462
Columbus, GA 31904
Dr. McCluskey performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 79% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #11 of 53 ranked shoulder surgeons in Georgia.
About Dr. McCluskey
Practice. Dr. George McCluskey is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Columbus, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 32 shoulder replacements. That is #11 in Georgia for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 63 in 2021 and stands at 32 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 32 procedures is near the national average of 29.
Local context. Columbus has 13 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2014 | 31 |
| 2015 | 42 |
| 2016 | 46 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2019 | 46 |
| 2020 | 38 |
| 2021 | 63 |
| 2022 | 27 |
| 2023 | 41 |
| 2024 | 32 |
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. McCluskey Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. McCluskey's recorded volume peaked at 63 procedures in 2021 and stood at 32 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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 step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. McCluskey
How does Dr. McCluskey's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?
Dr. McCluskey has performed 32 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. McCluskey ranks #138 out of 245 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. McCluskey perform?
Dr. McCluskey's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 32 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. McCluskey with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. McCluskey ranks #11 in Georgia for shoulder replacement with 32 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 245 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. McCluskey in Columbus?
Yes. There are 13 orthopedic surgeons in Columbus 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. McCluskey 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. McCluskey's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 110 procedures against the 32 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. McCluskey's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. McCluskey's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 63 procedures in 2021 and was 32 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Which hospitals is Dr. McCluskey affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. McCluskey is affiliated with St Francis Hospital- Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown, Crisp Regional Hospital.
How does Dr. McCluskey compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Columbus?
Among the 13 orthopedic surgeons in Columbus, Dr. McCluskey ranks #8 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Columbus has 137 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. McCluskey practices?
St Francis Hospital- Emory Healthcare (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown (1 out of 5 CMS stars); Crisp Regional 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 Columbus, Georgia
Dr. McCluskey's 32 Medicare procedures are below the Columbus average of 85. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Columbus.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Garland Gudger | 137 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Randall Ruark | 122 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Fernicola | 95 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Matthew Stewart | 85 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ryan Geringer | 71 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. James McGrory | 53 | 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.