Dr. Christopher Carender, M.D.
Contact & Location
319-356-2223
Iowa City, IA 52242
Dr. Carender performs more hip replacement procedures than 21% of orthopedic surgeons in Iowa, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #51 of 65 ranked hip surgeons in Iowa.
About Dr. Carender
Practice. Dr. Christopher Carender is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Iowa City, Iowa. The latest annual CMS data records 17 hip replacements and 12 knee replacements, 29 procedures in all. That is #51 in Iowa for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2017.
Trend. Dr. Carender first appears in the Medicare data in 2024. With 1 year on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 17 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Iowa City has 7 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 1 year: 29 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 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. 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 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Carender's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 120 procedures against the 29 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.
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.