Dr. George Sutherland, M.D.
Contact & Location
912-644-5300
Savannah, GA 31405
Pooler, GA 31322
Jesup, GA 31545
Statesboro, GA 30458
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Dr. Sutherland performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 73% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #14 of 53 ranked shoulder surgeons in Georgia.
About Dr. Sutherland
Practice. Dr. George Sutherland is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Savannah, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 30 shoulder replacements and 15 knee replacements, 45 procedures in all. That is #14 in Georgia for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 23 procedures a year to 45, up 96%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 30 procedures is near the national average of 29.
Local context. Savannah has 18 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Sutherland also holds hospital privileges in SC and GA, a practice that extends beyond Georgia.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 23 | 0 |
| 2014 | 23 | 0 |
| 2015 | 31 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 | 0 |
| 2017 | 23 | 15 |
| 2018 | 22 | 18 |
| 2019 | 23 | 24 |
| 2020 | 15 | 29 |
| 2021 | 15 | 20 |
| 2022 | 0 | 29 |
| 2023 | 0 | 25 |
| 2024 | 15 | 30 |
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, 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. Sutherland Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Sutherland's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 96% from 23 procedures in 2013 to 45 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
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. Sutherland
How does Dr. Sutherland's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?
Dr. Sutherland has performed 45 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Georgia average of 55 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Sutherland ranks #102 out of 245 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Sutherland perform?
Dr. Sutherland's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (30 cases) and knee replacement (15 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Sutherland with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Sutherland ranks #14 in Georgia for shoulder replacement with 30 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 245 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Sutherland in Savannah?
Yes. There are 18 orthopedic surgeons in Savannah 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. Sutherland 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, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Sutherland's total volume across all insurers at roughly 130 to 170 procedures against the 45 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. Sutherland's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Sutherland's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 23 procedures in 2013 to 45 in the most recent data, a 96% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 47 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Sutherland perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Sutherland's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (30 cases), knee replacement (15 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Sutherland affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Sutherland is affiliated with South Carolina Coastal Medical Center Llc, Hilton Head Regional Medical Center, Beaufort County Memorial Hospital, Candler Hospital, St Joseph'S Hospital - Savannah. Dr. Sutherland maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Sutherland compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Savannah?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Savannah, Dr. Sutherland ranks #9 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Savannah has 234 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Sutherland practices?
South Carolina Coastal Medical Center Llc (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Hilton Head Regional Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Beaufort County Memorial Hospital (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 Savannah, Georgia
Dr. Sutherland's 45 Medicare procedures are below the Savannah average of 118. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Savannah.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Charles Hope | 234 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Wolverton | 150 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kent Woo | 139 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jonathan Christy | 110 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Chetan Deshpande | 78 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Hoffman | 73 | 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.