Dr. Christopher Dickinson, D.O.
Contact & Location
515-224-1414
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Dr. Dickinson performs more hip replacement procedures than 9% of orthopedic surgeons in Iowa, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #59 of 65 ranked hip surgeons in Iowa.
About Dr. Dickinson
Practice. Dr. Christopher Dickinson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in West Des Moines, Iowa. The latest annual CMS data records 14 hip replacements. That is #59 in Iowa for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2018.
Trend. Dr. Dickinson 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, 14 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. West Des Moines has 11 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: 14 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. 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. Dickinson 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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Dickinson
How does Dr. Dickinson's procedure volume compare to other Iowa surgeons?
Dr. Dickinson has performed 14 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. Dickinson ranks #103 out of 105 orthopedic surgeons in Iowa.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Dickinson perform?
Dr. Dickinson's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 14 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Dickinson in West Des Moines?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in West Des Moines 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. Dickinson 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, which puts Dr. Dickinson's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 60 procedures against the 14 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. Dickinson affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Dickinson is affiliated with Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi, Guthrie County Hospital, Madison County Health Care System.
How does Dr. Dickinson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in West Des Moines?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in West Des Moines, Dr. Dickinson ranks #11 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in West Des Moines has 170 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Dickinson practices?
Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi (3 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 West Des Moines, Iowa
Dr. Dickinson's 14 Medicare procedures are below the West Des Moines average of 108. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in West Des Moines.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Barron Bremner | 170 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Matthew Dewall | 156 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Nelson | 144 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Dulaney | 115 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kary Schulte | 92 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Nicholas Honkamp | 65 | Knee, 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.