Dr. John Stirton, M.D.
Contact & Location
618-463-7600
Alton, IL 62002
Dr. Stirton performs more hip replacement procedures than 91% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #16 of 184 ranked hip surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Stirton
Practice. Dr. John Stirton is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Alton, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 87 hip replacements and 86 knee replacements, 173 procedures in all. That is #16 in Illinois for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 13 procedures a year to 173, up 1231%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 87 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 36.
Local context. Alton has 2 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Stirton also holds hospital privileges in IL and MO, a practice that extends beyond Illinois.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 13 | 0 |
| 2014 | 51 | 11 |
| 2015 | 54 | 37 |
| 2016 | 55 | 44 |
| 2017 | 48 | 81 |
| 2018 | 78 | 99 |
| 2019 | 69 | 82 |
| 2020 | 55 | 63 |
| 2021 | 74 | 72 |
| 2022 | 73 | 66 |
| 2023 | 63 | 66 |
| 2024 | 87 | 86 |
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 25% to 33% for hip 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. Stirton Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Stirton's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 1231% from 13 procedures in 2013 to 173 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Stirton
How does Dr. Stirton's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Stirton has performed 173 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Illinois average of 69 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Stirton ranks #22 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Stirton perform?
Dr. Stirton's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (87 cases) and knee replacement (86 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Stirton with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Stirton ranks #16 in Illinois for hip replacement with 87 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 316 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Stirton in Alton?
Yes. There are 2 orthopedic surgeons in Alton 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. Stirton 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Stirton's total volume across all insurers at roughly 570 to 720 procedures against the 173 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. Stirton's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Stirton's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2013 to 173 in the most recent data, a 1231% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 177 procedures in 2018.
Does Dr. Stirton perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Stirton's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (87 cases), knee replacement (86 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Stirton affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Stirton is affiliated with Alton Memorial Hospital, Jersey Community Hospital, Carlinville Area Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Christian Hospital Northeast-Northwest. Dr. Stirton maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Stirton practices?
Alton Memorial Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Jersey Community Hospital (2 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 Alton, Illinois
Dr. Stirton's 173 Medicare procedures are above the Alton average of 135. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Alton.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Aaron Omotola | 96 | Knee, 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.