Dr. Jacob Stirton, M.D.
Contact & Location
706-439-6858
Blairsville, GA 30512
Blairsville, GA 30512
Dr. Stirton performs more knee replacement procedures than 80% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #40 of 203 ranked knee surgeons in Georgia.
About Dr. Stirton
Practice. Dr. Jacob Stirton is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Blairsville, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 53 knee replacements, 49 shoulder replacements, and 23 hip replacements, 125 procedures in all. That is #40 in Georgia for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2021 to 2024, 4 years. Volume rose from 57 procedures a year to 125, up 119%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 53 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Blairsville has 3 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Stirton also holds hospital privileges in GA and NC, a practice that extends beyond Georgia.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 24 | 33 |
| 2022 | 22 | 36 | 66 |
| 2023 | 18 | 55 | 34 |
| 2024 | 23 | 53 | 49 |
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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, 25% to 33% for hip 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. Stirton Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Stirton's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 4 years, increasing 119% from 57 procedures in 2021 to 125 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. Stirton
How does Dr. Stirton's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?
Dr. Stirton has performed 125 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Georgia average of 55 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Stirton ranks #20 out of 245 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Stirton perform?
Dr. Stirton performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (53 cases), shoulder replacement (49 cases), hip replacement (23 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Stirton in Blairsville?
Yes. There are 3 orthopedic surgeons in Blairsville 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. Stirton 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Stirton's total volume across all insurers at roughly 390 to 490 procedures against the 125 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. Stirton's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Stirton's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 57 procedures in 2021 to 125 in the most recent data, a 119% increase over 4 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 125 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Stirton perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Stirton's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (53 cases), shoulder replacement (49 cases), hip replacement (23 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Stirton among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Stirton affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Stirton is affiliated with Union General Hospital, Chatuge Regional Hospital, Erlanger Murphy Medical Center. Dr. Stirton maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Stirton compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Blairsville?
Among the 3 orthopedic surgeons in Blairsville, Dr. Stirton ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Stirton has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Stirton practices?
Union General Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Erlanger Murphy Medical Center (1 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 Blairsville, Georgia
Dr. Stirton's 125 Medicare procedures are above the Blairsville average of 59. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Blairsville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Ronald MacBeth | 31 | Knee |
| Dr. Hamidreza Doroodchi | 21 | 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.