Dr. James Frix, M.D.
Contact & Location
706-226-5533
Dalton, GA 30720
Dr. Frix performs more knee replacement procedures than 73% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #53 of 203 ranked knee surgeons in Georgia.
About Dr. Frix
Practice. Dr. James Frix is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Dalton, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 44 knee replacements, 34 shoulder replacements, and 15 hip replacements, 93 procedures in all. That is #53 in Georgia for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 57 and 99 procedures a year.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 44 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Dalton has 4 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 27 | 55 | 0 |
| 2014 | 28 | 47 | 24 |
| 2015 | 18 | 32 | 11 |
| 2016 | 15 | 31 | 11 |
| 2017 | 31 | 34 | 19 |
| 2018 | 30 | 39 | 22 |
| 2019 | 20 | 34 | 23 |
| 2020 | 15 | 27 | 21 |
| 2021 | 22 | 30 | 26 |
| 2022 | 25 | 37 | 26 |
| 2023 | 22 | 39 | 38 |
| 2024 | 15 | 44 | 34 |
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. Frix Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Frix's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 57 to 99 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 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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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 Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Frix
How does Dr. Frix's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?
Dr. Frix has performed 93 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Georgia average of 55 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Frix ranks #40 out of 245 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Frix perform?
Dr. Frix performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (44 cases), shoulder replacement (34 cases), hip replacement (15 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Frix in Dalton?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Dalton 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. Frix 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. Frix's total volume across all insurers at roughly 290 to 370 procedures against the 93 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. Frix's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Frix's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 57 to 99 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Frix perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Frix's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (44 cases), shoulder replacement (34 cases), hip replacement (15 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Frix among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Frix affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Frix is affiliated with Hamilton Medical Center, Adventhealth Gordon, Adventhealth Murray, Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center.
How does Dr. Frix compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Dalton?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Dalton, Dr. Frix ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Frix has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Frix practices?
Hamilton Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Adventhealth Gordon (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Adventhealth Murray (5 out of 5 CMS stars). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Dalton, Georgia
Dr. Frix's 93 Medicare procedures are above the Dalton average of 47. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Dalton.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. John Norman | 43 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Dale Reed | 39 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Michael Wilson | 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.