Dr. Jacob Sams, MD
Contact & Location
217-864-2665
Mt. Zion, IL 62549
Dr. Sams performs more knee replacement procedures than 73% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #66 of 251 ranked knee surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Sams
Dr. Jacob Sams is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Mt. Zion, Illinois. A Medicare provider since 2008, Dr. Sams completed 64 knee replacements (#66 in Illinois), 29 hip replacements, and 21 shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, totaling 114 Medicare-verified procedures.
In Illinois, Dr. Sams performs above the state average in knee (64 vs 50), below the state average in hip (29 vs 39), below the state average in shoulder (21 vs 27).
Dr. Sams performs all three major joint replacement procedures (hip, knee, and shoulder), indicating a broad scope of orthopedic practice. The largest share is knee replacements (64 cases), followed by hip replacements (29) and shoulder replacements (21).
Dr. Sams is the only orthopedic surgeon in Mt. Zion represented in the current Medicare dataset, serving as the primary local option for patients considering joint replacement surgery in the area.
Medicare records for Dr. Sams extend back to 2014, covering 11 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 52 to 114 in the most recent data, a 119% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Sams's 64 verified procedures is above the national average of 45.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 28 | 24 | 0 |
| 2015 | 24 | 46 | 20 |
| 2016 | 21 | 64 | 28 |
| 2017 | 31 | 71 | 29 |
| 2018 | 46 | 72 | 20 |
| 2019 | 36 | 75 | 21 |
| 2020 | 36 | 65 | 23 |
| 2021 | 35 | 66 | 23 |
| 2022 | 43 | 62 | 19 |
| 2023 | 29 | 71 | 22 |
| 2024 | 29 | 64 | 21 |
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, 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. Sams Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Sams's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 119% from 52 procedures in 2014 to 114 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.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
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.
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.
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. Sams
How does Dr. Sams's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Sams has performed 114 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Illinois average of 69 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Sams ranks #64 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Sams perform?
Dr. Sams performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (64 cases), hip replacement (29 cases), shoulder replacement (21 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Where is Dr. Sams's practice located?
Dr. Sams practices in Mt. Zion, Illinois. The office is located at 104 Ashland Ave., Mt. Zion, IL 62549. Patients in the surrounding area can consult Dr. Sams for joint replacement evaluation.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Sams 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Sams's total volume across all insurers at roughly 370 to 470 procedures against the 114 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. Sams's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Sams's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 52 procedures in 2014 to 114 in the most recent data, a 119% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 138 procedures in 2018.
Does Dr. Sams perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Sams's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (64 cases), hip replacement (29 cases), shoulder replacement (21 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Sams among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Sams affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Sams is affiliated with Decatur Memorial Hospital, Kirby Medical Center, St Marys Hospital, Pana Community Hospital, Hshs Good Shepherd Hospital Inc.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Sams practices?
Decatur Memorial Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); St Marys Hospital (1 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.
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.