Dr. William Ashford, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgery

16 procedures5 hospitalsAthens, GAUpdated May 2026

Contact & Location

706-389-8941
Phone: 706-389-8941
Practice phone listed in the NPI registry
1061 Dowdy Rd Ste 202
Athens, GA 30606
Current practice address per the CMS NPPES registry (self-reported to the registry, last updated May 2020). Registry checked August 2026.
NPI: 1588078109
Credentials: M.D.
Active Medicare provider (NPI verified)
12 years of practice experience
Licensed M.D.
Licensed surgical specialist
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon
Contact information available
Find Practice on Google Maps
National Comparison by Procedure
Knee 16 vs 45 national avg 0.4x
avg

Compared with 6,612 knee surgeons in the 2024 Medicare dataset.

Dr. Ashford performs more knee replacement procedures than 20% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #161 of 203 ranked knee surgeons in Georgia.

About Dr. Ashford

Practice. Dr. William Ashford is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Athens, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 16 knee replacements. That is #161 in Georgia for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2014.

Trend. Dr. Ashford first appears in the Medicare data in 2024. With 1 year on record, the trend is still short.

National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 16 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.

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 Medicare Cases

Knee Replacement
16 verified cases
#161 in Georgia
Estimated 2024 total: 60 – 70 procedures (all insurers)
Medicare fee-for-service share of national volume in 2024: 23% to 28% for knee replacement
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. 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. Ashford Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.

Knee Below Avg
16 Avg: 40
Dr. Ashford Georgia Average

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
St Mary'S Hospital
1/5
Athens, GA
Above national avg
H
Morgan Medical Center
Madison, GA
H
Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center
4/5
Athens, GA
Low case volume
H
St Mary'S Sacred Heart Hospital, Inc
3/5
Lavonia, GA
Low case volume
H
St Mary'S Good Samaritan Hospital
3/5
Greensboro, 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.

Patient Resources: Preparing for Knee Replacement

If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:

Knee Replacement Recovery Overview

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

Week 1-2 Walking with assistive device. Knee bending exercises begin immediately. Ice therapy and elevation for swelling control.
Week 3-6 Increased range of motion (target 90 degrees). Walking longer distances. Physical therapy intensifies with strengthening exercises.
Week 7-12 Most patients walk without assistive devices. Resume driving and desk work. Continue PT for strength and flexibility.
Month 4-6 Near-full recovery. Resume most recreational activities. Some swelling and stiffness may persist but continues improving.

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. Ashford

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

Dr. Ashford has performed 16 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. Ashford ranks #197 out of 245 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ashford perform?

Dr. Ashford's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 16 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.

Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ashford 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. Ashford 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, which puts Dr. Ashford's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 70 procedures against the 16 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.

Which hospitals is Dr. Ashford affiliated with?

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

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

Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Athens, Dr. Ashford ranks #9 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. Ashford practices?

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. Ashford's 16 Medicare procedures are below the Athens average of 69. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Athens.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
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. Stephen Johnson 31 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.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. William Ashford, M.D. -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/ga/dr-william-ashford-athens.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/ga/dr-william-ashford-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.