Dr. Benjamin Kester, M.D.
Contact & Location
630-790-1872
Lombard, IL 60148
Dr. Kester performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 8% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #73 of 80 ranked shoulder surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Kester
Practice. Dr. Benjamin Kester is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lombard, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 12 shoulder replacements. That is #73 in Illinois for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2015.
Trend. Dr. Kester first appears in the Medicare data in 2024. With 1 year on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 12 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Lombard has 4 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: 12 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 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Kester Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Kester
How does Dr. Kester's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Kester has performed 12 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Illinois average is 69 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Kester ranks #308 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kester perform?
Dr. Kester's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 12 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kester in Lombard?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Lombard 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. Kester 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Kester's total volume across all insurers at roughly 30 to 40 procedures against the 12 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. Kester affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kester is affiliated with Uchicago Medicine Adventhealth La Grange, Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, Uchicago Medicine Adventhealth Hinsdale.
How does Dr. Kester compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lombard?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Lombard, Dr. Kester ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Lombard has 163 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Kester practices?
Uchicago Medicine Adventhealth La Grange (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Elmhurst Memorial Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Uchicago Medicine Adventhealth Hinsdale (4 out of 5 CMS stars). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Lombard, Illinois
Dr. Kester's 12 Medicare procedures are below the Lombard average of 71. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Lombard.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Thomas Smith | 163 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mohammed Ahmed | 57 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Rahul Gokhale | 50 | Knee |
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.