Dr. Aaron Altenburg, M.D.
Contact & Location
208-233-8344
Pocatello, ID 83201
Dr. Altenburg performs more knee replacement procedures than 90% of orthopedic surgeons in Idaho, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #5 of 52 ranked knee surgeons in Idaho.
About Dr. Altenburg
Practice. Dr. Aaron Altenburg is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Pocatello, Idaho. The latest annual CMS data records 71 knee replacements and 55 hip replacements, 126 procedures in all. That is #5 in Idaho for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 240 in 2013 and stands at 126 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 71 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Pocatello has 3 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 76 | 164 |
| 2014 | 71 | 146 |
| 2015 | 80 | 142 |
| 2016 | 77 | 149 |
| 2017 | 60 | 137 |
| 2018 | 68 | 140 |
| 2019 | 65 | 135 |
| 2020 | 69 | 120 |
| 2021 | 54 | 117 |
| 2022 | 58 | 119 |
| 2023 | 72 | 97 |
| 2024 | 55 | 71 |
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. Altenburg Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Idaho state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Altenburg's recorded volume peaked at 240 procedures in 2013 and stood at 126 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
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.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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.
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. Altenburg
How does Dr. Altenburg's procedure volume compare to other Idaho surgeons?
Dr. Altenburg has performed 126 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Idaho average of 57 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Altenburg ranks #7 out of 70 orthopedic surgeons in Idaho.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Altenburg perform?
Dr. Altenburg's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (71 cases) and hip replacement (55 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Altenburg with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Altenburg ranks #5 in Idaho for knee replacement with 71 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 70 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Altenburg in Pocatello?
Yes. There are 3 orthopedic surgeons in Pocatello 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 Idaho surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Altenburg 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. Altenburg's total volume across all insurers at roughly 420 to 530 procedures against the 126 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. Altenburg's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Altenburg's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 240 procedures in 2013 and was 126 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Does Dr. Altenburg perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Altenburg's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (71 cases), hip replacement (55 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Altenburg affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Altenburg is affiliated with Mountain View Hospital, Idaho Falls Community Hospital, Llc, Nell J Redfield Memorial Hospital, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Madison Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Altenburg compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Pocatello?
Among the 3 orthopedic surgeons in Pocatello, Dr. Altenburg ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Altenburg has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Altenburg practices?
Mountain View Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Idaho Falls Community Hospital, Llc (5 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 Pocatello, Idaho
Dr. Altenburg's 126 Medicare procedures are above the Pocatello average of 75. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Pocatello.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Gregory Ford | 51 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Wathne | 47 | 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.