Dr. James Holtzclaw, M.D.
Contact & Location
912-355-6615
Savannah, GA 31405
Dr. Holtzclaw performs more hip replacement procedures than 73% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #34 of 126 ranked hip surgeons in Georgia.
About Dr. Holtzclaw
Practice. Dr. James Holtzclaw is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Savannah, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 39 hip replacements. That is #34 in Georgia for hip replacement. Dr. Holtzclaw also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 72 in 2021 and stands at 39 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 39 procedures is near the national average of 36.
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.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 17 | 15 |
| 2014 | 16 | 13 |
| 2015 | 27 | 0 |
| 2016 | 28 | 19 |
| 2017 | 23 | 0 |
| 2018 | 24 | 0 |
| 2019 | 20 | 0 |
| 2020 | 45 | 0 |
| 2021 | 57 | 15 |
| 2022 | 56 | 0 |
| 2023 | 43 | 0 |
| 2024 | 39 | 0 |
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 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. Holtzclaw Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Holtzclaw's recorded volume peaked at 72 procedures in 2021 and stood at 39 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Holtzclaw
How does Dr. Holtzclaw's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?
Dr. Holtzclaw has performed 39 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. Holtzclaw ranks #121 out of 245 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Holtzclaw perform?
Dr. Holtzclaw's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 39 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Holtzclaw 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. Holtzclaw 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Holtzclaw's total volume across all insurers at roughly 120 to 160 procedures against the 39 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. Holtzclaw's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Holtzclaw's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 72 procedures in 2021 and was 39 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. Holtzclaw affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Holtzclaw is affiliated with Memorial Health University Medical Center, St Joseph'S Hospital - Savannah, Effingham Health System, Candler Hospital.
How does Dr. Holtzclaw compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Savannah?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Savannah, Dr. Holtzclaw ranks #11 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. Holtzclaw practices?
Memorial Health University Medical Center (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Joseph'S Hospital - Savannah (2 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. Holtzclaw's 39 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.