Dr. Christopher Carender, MD
Contact & Location
Iowa City, IA 52242
Dr. Christopher Carender is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Carender has performed 17 Medicare-verified hip replacements (#51 in Iowa) and 12 knee replacements, for a combined total of 29 procedures.
In Iowa, Dr. Carender performs below average in hip (17 vs 36 avg), below average in knee (12 vs 48 avg).
Dr. Carender's reported Medicare volume is split between hip replacements (17 cases) and knee replacements (12 cases).
Iowa City is home to 7 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Iowa City area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Carender first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2024. With 1 year of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.
Dr. Carender's 17 hip replacement procedures is below the national average of 36 among 4,532 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Verified Medicare Cases
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. Carender Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Iowa state average.
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.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
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. Carender
How does Dr. Carender's procedure volume compare to other Iowa surgeons?
Dr. Carender has performed 29 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Iowa average is 73 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Carender ranks #82 out of 105 orthopedic surgeons in Iowa.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Carender perform?
Dr. Carender's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (17 cases) and knee replacement (12 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Carender in Iowa City?
Yes. There are 7 orthopedic surgeons in Iowa City 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 Iowa surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Carender 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. Carender's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 29 procedures shown here.
Does Dr. Carender perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Carender's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (17 cases), knee replacement (12 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Carender affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Carender is affiliated with University Of Michigan Health. Dr. Carender maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Carender compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Iowa City?
Among the 7 orthopedic surgeons in Iowa City, Dr. Carender ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Iowa City has 136 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Carender practices?
University Of Michigan Health (4 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 Iowa City, Iowa
Dr. Carender's 29 Medicare procedures are below the Iowa City average of 67. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Iowa City.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Nicolas Noiseux | 136 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jacob Elkins | 106 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nicholas Bedard | 70 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brendan Patterson | 62 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Dallas Vanorny | 47 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Nepola | 21 | 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.