Dr. Paul Morton, MD
Contact & Location
808-439-6201
Honolulu, HI 96814
Waipahu, HI 96797
About Dr. Morton
Dr. Paul Morton is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Honolulu, Hawaii. A Medicare provider since 2012, Dr. Morton performed 51 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#2 in Hawaii) and 14 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 65 procedures.
In Hawaii, Dr. Morton performs above the state average in knee (51 vs 33), below the state average in hip (14 vs 33).
Dr. Morton's practice is heavily focused on knee replacement surgery, which accounts for 78% of reported Medicare volume.
Beyond general orthopedic surgery, Dr. Morton holds additional credentials in Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgery, reflecting subspecialty training that may benefit patients with complex joint conditions.
Honolulu is home to 8 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Honolulu area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Morton extend back to 2019, covering 4 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 11 to 65 in the most recent data, a 491% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Morton's 51 verified procedures is near the national average of 45.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 33 | 51 |
| 2023 | 31 | 61 |
| 2024 | 14 | 51 |
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, 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. Morton Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Hawaii state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Morton's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 4 years, increasing 491% from 11 procedures in 2019 to 65 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 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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-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.
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. Morton
How does Dr. Morton's procedure volume compare to other Hawaii surgeons?
Dr. Morton has performed 65 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Hawaii average of 57 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Morton ranks #6 out of 14 orthopedic surgeons in Hawaii.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Morton perform?
Dr. Morton's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (51 cases) and hip replacement (14 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Morton with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Morton ranks #2 in Hawaii for knee replacement with 51 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 14 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Morton in Honolulu?
Yes. There are 8 orthopedic surgeons in Honolulu 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 Hawaii surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Morton 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, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Morton's total volume across all insurers at roughly 220 to 280 procedures against the 65 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. Morton's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Morton's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2019 to 65 in the most recent data, a 491% increase over 4 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 92 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Morton perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Morton's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (51 cases), hip replacement (14 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Morton affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Morton is affiliated with The Queens Medical Center, Kona Community Hospital, Adventist Health Castle, North Hawaii Community Hospital, Inc.
How does Dr. Morton compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Honolulu?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Honolulu, Dr. Morton ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Honolulu has 119 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Morton practices?
The Queens Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Kona Community Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Adventist Health Castle (5 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 Honolulu, Hawaii
Dr. Morton's 65 Medicare procedures are below the Honolulu average of 71. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Honolulu.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Cass Nakasone | 119 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffery Harpstrite | 108 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jason Kaneshige | 67 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joseph Varcadipane | 56 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Andrew Richardson | 52 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jay Marumoto | 32 | 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.