#8 in Georgia
Shoulder

Dr. Stephen Johnson, DO

Orthopedic Surgery
41 procedures 3 hospitals Athens, GA
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026
Rising Star
Shoulder replacement recovery kit Slings, cold therapy, and adaptive clothing for recovery
National Comparison by Procedure
Shoulder 41 vs 28 avg (2,092 surgeons)

Dr. Stephen Johnson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Athens, Georgia. A Medicare provider since 2007, Dr. Johnson has performed 41 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements, ranking #8 in Georgia.

In Georgia, Dr. Johnson performs above average in shoulder (41 vs 24 avg).

Dr. Johnson's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 41 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.

Athens is home to 9 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Athens area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.

Medicare records for Dr. Johnson extend back to 2015, covering 9 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 16 to 41 in the most recent data, a 156% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.

Among 2,092 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Johnson's 41 verified procedures is above the national average of 28.

Verified Medicare Cases

Shoulder Replacement
41 verified cases
#8 in Georgia
Estimated total: 110 – 120 procedures (all insurers)
Based on Medicare FFS representing 33–37% of national joint replacement volume
How is this estimated?

Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.

How Dr. Johnson Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.

Shoulder High
41 Avg: 24
Dr. Johnson Georgia Average

Contact & Location

Phone: 706-549-1663
1765 Old West Broad St
Athens, GA 30606
NPI: 1588787899
Credentials: DO
Active Medicare provider (NPI verified)
19 years of practice experience
Licensed DO
Licensed surgical specialist
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon
Sports medicine specialist
Contact information available
Find Practice on Google Maps

Volume Trend Analysis

Dr. Johnson's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 156% from 16 procedures in 2015 to 41 in the most recent data.

Years of Data 9
2023 Volume 41
Peak Volume 42 (2018)
Trend Growing

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
St Mary'S Good Samaritan Hospital
★★★☆☆
Greensboro, GA
Low case volume
H
St Mary'S Hospital
★☆☆☆☆
Athens, GA
Above national avg
H
Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center
★★★★☆
Athens, GA
Low case volume

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.

Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview

Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:

Week 1-3 Arm in a sling for protection. Gentle pendulum exercises under therapist guidance. Focus on pain management and wound care.
Week 4-6 Gradual sling weaning. Begin passive and active-assisted range-of-motion exercises. Light daily activities resume.
Week 7-12 Active range-of-motion exercises. Light strengthening begins. Most patients can drive and perform desk work.
Month 4-6 Progressive strengthening continues. Return to most activities. Full recovery may take 6-12 months for complete shoulder strength.

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. Johnson

How does Dr. Johnson's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?

Dr. Johnson has performed 41 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. Johnson ranks #118 out of 255 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Johnson perform?

Dr. Johnson's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 41 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.

How experienced is Dr. Johnson with shoulder replacement surgery?

Dr. Johnson ranks #8 in Georgia for shoulder replacement with 41 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 255 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.

Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Johnson in Athens?

Yes. There are 9 orthopedic surgeons in Athens 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. Johnson represent?

The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Johnson's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 41 procedures shown here.

Has Dr. Johnson's procedure volume changed over time?

Yes. Dr. Johnson's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 16 procedures in 2015 to 41 in the most recent data, a 156% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 42 procedures in 2018.

Which hospitals is Dr. Johnson affiliated with?

According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Johnson is affiliated with St Mary'S Good Samaritan Hospital, St Mary'S Hospital, Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.

How does Dr. Johnson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Athens?

Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in Athens, Dr. Johnson ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Athens has 167 verified Medicare procedures.

What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Johnson practices?

St Mary'S Good Samaritan Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); St Mary'S Hospital (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate above national average); Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center (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 Athens, Georgia

Dr. Johnson's 41 Medicare procedures are below the Athens average of 74. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Athens.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
Dr. Ormonde Mahoney 167 Hip, Knee
Dr. John Dorris 93 Hip, Knee, Shoulder
Dr. David Ryan 77 Hip, Knee
Dr. Christopher Gaunder 60 Hip, Knee
Dr. Mason Florence 48 Hip, Knee
Dr. Robert Hancock 31 Shoulder

Patient Reviews & Ratings

OrthoProcedures.com focuses on verified Medicare procedure data. For patient reviews, ratings, and appointment scheduling, visit these trusted platforms:

These links lead to third-party websites. OrthoProcedures.com is not affiliated with these platforms and cannot verify the accuracy of reviews.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. Stephen Johnson, DO -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/ga/dr-stephen-johnson-athens.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/ga/dr-stephen-johnson-athens.html

Data source: CMS Medicare Part B Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Full methodology | Open Data API

Important: Rankings are based solely on Medicare procedure volume and do not reflect quality of care, patient outcomes, or procedures covered by private insurance. This data represents approximately one-third to 40% of all joint replacement procedures nationwide. Always consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care.