Dr. Stephen Johnson, D.O.
Contact & Location
706-549-1663
Athens, GA 30606
Greensboro, GA 30642
Athens, GA 30606
Athens, GA 30606
Greensboro, GA 30642
Dr. Johnson performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 77% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #12 of 53 ranked shoulder surgeons in Georgia.
About Dr. Johnson
Practice. Dr. Stephen Johnson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Athens, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 31 shoulder replacements. That is #12 in Georgia for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2015 to 2024, 10 years. Volume rose from 16 procedures a year to 31, up 94%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 31 procedures is near the national average of 29.
Local context. Athens has 10 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 42 |
| 2019 | 39 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 41 |
| 2024 | 31 |
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. 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. Johnson Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Johnson's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 10 years, increasing 94% from 16 procedures in 2015 to 31 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. Johnson
How does Dr. Johnson's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?
Dr. Johnson has performed 31 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 #145 out of 245 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 31 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 #12 in Georgia for shoulder replacement with 31 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 245 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Johnson in Athens?
Yes. There are 10 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 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, which puts Dr. Johnson's total volume across all insurers at roughly 80 to 110 procedures against the 31 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. Johnson's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Johnson's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 16 procedures in 2015 to 31 in the most recent data, a 94% increase over 10 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, Northside Hospital.
How does Dr. Johnson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Athens?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Athens, Dr. Johnson ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Athens has 132 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 31 Medicare procedures are below the Athens average of 71. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Athens.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Ormonde Mahoney | 132 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Dorris | 95 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Gaunder | 86 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Ryan | 67 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mason Florence | 57 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Hancock | 30 | 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.