Dr. Anuj Puppala, M.D.
Contact & Location
815-744-4551
Joliet, IL 60435
Dr. Puppala performs more knee replacement procedures than 95% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #11 of 251 ranked knee surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Puppala
Practice. Dr. Anuj Puppala is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Joliet, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 125 knee replacements and 117 hip replacements, 242 procedures in all. That is #11 in Illinois for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 46 procedures a year to 242, up 426%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 125 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Joliet has 5 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 18 | 28 | 0 |
| 2014 | 34 | 22 | 11 |
| 2015 | 37 | 38 | 0 |
| 2016 | 57 | 25 | 0 |
| 2017 | 73 | 18 | 0 |
| 2018 | 89 | 35 | 0 |
| 2019 | 84 | 63 | 12 |
| 2020 | 74 | 50 | 0 |
| 2021 | 75 | 72 | 14 |
| 2022 | 95 | 115 | 0 |
| 2023 | 112 | 132 | 0 |
| 2024 | 117 | 125 | 0 |
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. Puppala Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Puppala's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 426% from 46 procedures in 2013 to 242 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.
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 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. Puppala
How does Dr. Puppala's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Puppala has performed 242 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 3x the Illinois average of 69 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Puppala ranks #7 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Puppala perform?
Dr. Puppala's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (125 cases) and hip replacement (117 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Puppala with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Puppala ranks #11 in Illinois for knee replacement with 125 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 316 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Puppala in Joliet?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Joliet 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 Illinois surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Puppala 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. Puppala's total volume across all insurers at roughly 800 to 1,010 procedures against the 242 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. Puppala's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Puppala's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 46 procedures in 2013 to 242 in the most recent data, a 426% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 244 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Puppala perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Puppala's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (125 cases), hip replacement (117 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Puppala affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Puppala is affiliated with Uchicago Medicine Adventhealth La Grange, Silver Cross Hospital And Medical Centers, Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers, Saint Joseph Medical Center, Edward Hospital.
How does Dr. Puppala compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Joliet?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Joliet, Dr. Puppala ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Puppala has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Puppala practices?
Uchicago Medicine Adventhealth La Grange (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Silver Cross Hospital And Medical Centers (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers (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 Joliet, Illinois
Dr. Puppala's 242 Medicare procedures are above the Joliet average of 80. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Joliet.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Robert Thorsness | 70 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Jason Hurbanek | 36 | Knee |
| Dr. Bradley Dworsky | 28 | Knee |
| Dr. Jourdan Cancienne | 24 | 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.