Dr. Benjamin Kester, M.D.
Contact & Location
Lombard, IL 60148
Dr. Benjamin Kester is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lombard, Illinois. Dr. Kester has performed 12 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements, ranking #73 in Illinois.
In Illinois, Dr. Kester performs below average in shoulder (12 vs 27 avg).
Dr. Kester's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 12 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Lombard is home to 4 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Lombard area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Kester first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2024. With 1 year of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.
Dr. Kester's 12 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 29 among 2,213 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
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 the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Kester's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 12 procedures shown here.
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.