Dr. Henry Fuentes, M.D.
Contact & Location
708-361-0600
Palos Heights, IL 60463
Dr. Fuentes performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 36% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #51 of 80 ranked shoulder surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Fuentes
Practice. Dr. Henry Fuentes is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Palos Heights, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 18 shoulder replacements and 14 knee replacements, 32 procedures in all. That is #51 in Illinois for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 21 procedures a year to 32, up 52%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 18 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Palos Heights has 6 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 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 | 19 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 19 | 16 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| 2024 | 0 | 14 | 18 |
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, 23% to 28% for knee 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. Fuentes Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Fuentes's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 52% from 21 procedures in 2013 to 32 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 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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Fuentes
How does Dr. Fuentes's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Fuentes has performed 32 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. Fuentes ranks #208 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Fuentes perform?
Dr. Fuentes's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (18 cases) and knee replacement (14 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Fuentes in Palos Heights?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Palos Heights 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. Fuentes 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, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Fuentes's total volume across all insurers at roughly 100 to 120 procedures against the 32 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. Fuentes's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Fuentes's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 21 procedures in 2013 to 32 in the most recent data, a 52% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 35 procedures in 2022.
Does Dr. Fuentes perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Fuentes's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (18 cases), knee replacement (14 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Fuentes affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Fuentes is affiliated with Silver Cross Hospital And Medical Centers, Palos Community Hospital.
How does Dr. Fuentes compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Palos Heights?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Palos Heights, Dr. Fuentes ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Palos Heights has 102 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Fuentes practices?
Silver Cross Hospital And Medical Centers (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Palos Community Hospital (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 Palos Heights, Illinois
Dr. Fuentes's 32 Medicare procedures are below the Palos Heights average of 44. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Palos Heights.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Steven Wardell | 102 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kevin Luke | 68 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jamil Kendall | 33 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Bruce Dolitsky | 15 | Knee |
| Dr. Nirav Shah | 14 | 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.